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UK central government market profile to 2010/11
The total ICT market in the UK central government sector reached £3,440m in 2006/07. Kable estimates that it will grow by 4% to £3,577m in 2007/08, growth in the subsequent years though will slow, reaching £3,777m by 2010/11
Published: 04 Jan 2008
Technology and the transformation of social protection
This report examines the systems of welfare benefits and social services that together make up social protection in the UK
Published: 25 Oct 2007
Public sector outsourcing: The big picture to 2012
In this report we examine £74bn of services commissioned by government from the private and third sectors. By 2012 we estimate that this will have grown to a market worth almost £100bn.
Published: 17 Sep 2007
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News
Councils urged to take on e-petitions
1 February 2008
A think tank has said local authorities should make greater use of online petitions
The New Local Government Network (NLGN) has published a paper on the subject, 21st Century Democracy: e-petitioning and local government, that says the move would encourage greater democratic participation. Citizens would be able to publicly petition councils to debate and review spending and policy commitments, and have direct influence over how local services are delivered.
It claims the practice would be particularly effective in engaging young people, and points to the success of the formal e-petitioning process used in the Scottish Parliament.
The paper identifies four key advantages for councils to introduce e-petitioning: - Widening participation to include those who appear to be more disengaged - the young and the those who are less well-off;
- Enabling people to voice their opinions with methods accessible to them and to see the impact it has;
- Ensuring accountability and direct dialogue with representatives;
- Making information readily available and accessible.
It also argues that e-petitioning should become a formal mechanism within the local authority Community Call For Action initiative, which allows local residents to raise concerns about persistent or serious problems in their area and to which local councillors have a duty to respond.
The system would be based on residents establishing a minimum number of signatures needed to support a petition, which could then trigger a formal council debate on the issue.
The paper also calls on the Audit Commission to reward councils who show commitment and innovation to e-petitioning through the new Comprehensive Area Assessment and for councils to use their own websites to encourage greater e-participation.
The UK government has explored the role of e-petitioning, most notably through the No.10 website where citizens can upload and support petitions. It does not, however, have any formal system for debating the petitions in Parliament or warranting a government response.
Source: Kable's Government Computing
Publication date: 01/02/2008
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Kable is Europe's leading authority on the impact of e-government and public sector technology. It offers a range of public sector ICT research services, events and publications including GC and Smart Healthcare magazines.
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