HM Treasury News Release
137/98 13 August 1998
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#150 MILLION FUND TO SUPPORT JOINED-UP GOVERNMENT
A new #150 million fund to support innovative projects which
provide services to the public in a more efficient and co-
ordinated way has been announced today by the Chief Secretary,
Stephen Byers.
Funds from the Invest to Save Budget (ISB) will be available
to Government Departments to promote joined-up government.
Examples of projects which the ISB might support include:
'one stop shops' enabling the public to deal with more
than one agency at a time, such as the Lewisham Council
project integrating benefits administered by the
Department of Social Security and local authorities;
joint projects involving an increase in the proportion of
business done with the public via electronic means, for
example by expanding the services available on the
Internet. The newly self-employed can, by the completion
of a single form on the Internet, simultaneously transmit
to Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the
Contributions Agency all relevant starting details;
the co-location of agencies at local level, for example,
to share overhead costs; or
combining services into packages which make access to
Government easier. Brent Council has streamlined its
service delivery by introducing an award winning, single
access point (one stop shop) for all enquiries and
services. During 1998, Brent also plans to further
develop its current pilot on-line enquiry form available
on the Internet and also to extend the operating hours of
its innovative telephone call centre thus consolidating
its approach to achieving 24 hour, 'convenient' access to
Council information, advice and services for people who
want or need to contact Brent Council
Announcing the ISB, Mr Byers said:
"We intend to provide a better service and save money at
the same time. For too long Government has been remote
and detached from individual members of the public. This
has to change. Our Invest to Save Budget will be real
joined-up government in action providing more efficient
and accessible services to the public.
"The aim of the ISB is to ensure public services are
delivered in a more coherent way and that different parts
of government work closer together. By breaking down
barriers between Government Departments we will be able
to provide members of the public with a far better
service. The decisions on the allocation of the fund
will be taken jointly by Treasury and Cabinet Office
which in itself is an example of joined-up government in
action."
#150 million pounds will be available to promote such projects
over the next three years with #20 million available in the
first year in 1999-2000.
The Treasury has issued guidance inviting Government
Departments to come forward with imaginative proposals for the
first #20 million. In subsequent years the range of those
invited to bid will be broadened to include bodies from the
wider public sector.
The proposals which are successful in the first bidding round
will be announced in Autumn 1998.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The ISB will be managed by the Treasury, in consultation
with the Cabinet Office. #20/55/75 million has been
provided for the ISB over the three financial years from
1999-2000 to 2001-02. It is planned that further
resources will be allocated through two more bidding
rounds.
2. Media copies of the bidding guidance are available from
the Treasury Press Office on 0171 270 5185.
4. Non-media copies of the guidance are available from the
Treasury Public Enquiry Unit on 0171 270 4558.
5. If you have access to the Internet, you can find this
news release and other Treasury material at
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.
# = pounds sterling