192/99
16 November 1999
PROMOTION OF BRITISH INTERESTS ABROAD
£12 MILLION INVESTMENT TO PROVIDE A GLOBAL ELECTRONIC NETWORK OF BRITISH INFORMATION AND SERVICES
£12 million of new funding to provide electronic information kiosks promoting all aspects of Britain abroad was announced today by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Andrew Smith.
This project, which will be led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will provide 'one-stop shop_ information kiosks in British embassies and other selected locations abroad. These will be internet based and harness the latest multi-media and communication technology to deliver information through interactive websites on the qualities Britain has to offer world-wide. It will benefit a wide range of British interests by delivering services and information electronically on:
- exports and inward investment opportunities;
- tourism including listing places to stay and visit;
- educational opportunities in the UK and how to study English;
- advances and applications of British science and technology;
- visa applications and passport and travel information; and
- government policy initiatives and social and economic statistics.
Commenting on the projects, Mr Smith said:
"It is vital we showcase the attractions of Britain, its firms, its education system and its culture abroad. By delivering high quality, low cost information to target audiences this project will directly promote trade, inward investment, education services and tourism and increase the understanding on the contemporary UK, the Government_s policies and our international influence. By working across departmental boundaries and using the latest technology this is an excellent example of getting the most out of public services."
Welcoming the announcement Robin Cook said:
"The revolution in Information and Communications Technology offers the FCO new means of both delivering our services and of running our operation more efficiently around the globe. Our highly successful website has led the way in Government use of new media. This new funding will enable us to stay at the forefront. The project will "join up" Government sources on-line, expand the reach of our network, and give the public an improved service and access to a vast pool of information."
This cross-cutting project brings together the skills and knowledge of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, the British Council, the British Tourist Board and Invest in Britain into a co-ordinated delivery point. The service will act as the first point of contact for enquires about Britain and delivering services overseas and will help reach new audiences and serve existing enquirers more efficiently providing them with information tailored to their needs. Information will be updated regularly through the internet both from the UK and locally to ensure the latest position is available instantaneously worldwide.
Available information will include the background on the key domestic policy issues such as Welfare to Work, devolution, Northern Ireland and UK social policy. There will also be a strong foreign policy content covering UK involvement in European issues and our development and human rights work.
In addition, the Chief Secretary announced a £0.6 million electronic commerce (E-commerce) system to automate the requisitioning, sourcing and supply of the full range of goods procured through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office_s home and overseas offices. The project will secure significant efficiency savings in the FCO budget freeing up money that can be directed to front line services.
This will provide the first major UK Government implementation of international Internet-based E-commerce and will be used to pave the way for other applications across the UK public sector. In particular this project contributes to the Government_s overall targets that 90% of routine goods should be purchased electronically by 2000-01 and that 25% of all Government dealings should be available electronically by 2002 with 100% being available by 2008.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The £2.5 billion Capital Modernisation Fund was set up in the Comprehensive Spending Review to support capital investment to improve public services. The Fund is allocated as £0.25 billion in 1999-00, £1 billion in 2000-01 and £1.25 billion in 2001-02. £1.1 billion of investment from the Fund was announced in this years Budget. A further round of bidding will be held over the course of 1999-2000.
2. The CMF was allocated on a competitive basis on the following criteria:
- the quality and merit of the bidding department(s) Departmental Investment Strategy;
- the quality and strength of the economic appraisal of the project;
- how far the project contributes to the department_s objectives, in particular whether it will reduce the cost of delivering public services and improve the quality and effectiveness of services;
- how far the project applies innovative approaches;
- the robustness of arrangements for delivering, managing, accounting, monitoring and evaluating the project;
- how far the project is genuinely additional.