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The Power of Information Review: online advice sites could improve citizen empowerment

Minister for the Cabinet Office Hilary Armstrong wants Government to harness the phenomenon of internet advice sharing sites and empower people with information that could help improve their lives.

Hilary Armstrong has asked for a report to assess how Government can help citizens using this new form of citizen to citizen advice with better information from Government. It will look at how non–personal public sector information can be re–used and reinvigorated outside of government to generate public and economic value.

Websites like Rightsnet and NetMums are examples of how people are using the internet to share information, advice and help. Now, a review will look at the benefits such online communities are creating for their members, how they relate to major areas of government policy or focus, and whether there is a case for involvement at any level by Government.

Hilary has appointed Tom Steinberg, Director of MySociety and Ed Mayo from the National Consumer Council to take forward the review. They are being supported by a team of government officials from Cabinet Office.

The Review will explore new developments in the use and communication of citizen and state–generated public information in the UK. It will present an analysis and recommendations to Cabinet Office Ministers before summer.

Hilary Armstrong said:

‘We know people feel, and are, empowered when they can access advice and help easily and directly online; the growth in web sites such as NetMums proves this. If Government can improve the experiences and lives of people using such web sites by providing information and advice through these channels, we should do so – but in a way that helps and not hinders this phenomenon.

‘Too often discussion about information strays into personal data sharing arguments; that's not what this review is about. DirectGov and Businesslink are examples of successful online innovations from Government, but we need to ensure we build on this, understand how people want to access advice and make sure Government does not fall behind in embracing this interactive age.’

The review follows the policy review seminar on 7 February 2007, where Ministers and outside organisations experienced in new communications discussed the role of technology in transforming citizens lives. It will:

• examine what efforts are already underway, both inside and outside government, to improve the usage and communication of public information, in particular: How government can stimulate more beneficial creation and sharing of public information and mutual support between citizens
• Whether there are any public information sharing opportunities or shortfalls outside government which the relevant sectors could work to rectify.

Notes to editors

1. The review is being led by Tom Steinberg, founder and director of mySociety, but will be undertaking this work in a personal capacity.
2. mySociety [External website] is a non–partisan project, part of registered charity UKCOD, that runs many well known democracy websites in the UK, such as WriteToThem.com [External website], PledgeBank.com [External website] and the volunteer–founded TheyWorkForYou.com [External website]. The organisation's missions are to build websites that give people simple, tangible benefits in the democratic and community aspects of their lives. It also aims to teach the public and voluntary sector how they can use technology better to help citizens.
3. The review team will consult experts from across government in the areas of sharing public information and information technology.
4. The National Consumer Council (NCC) aims to make a practical difference to the lives of consumers around the UK, using its insight into consumer needs to advocate change. They work with public service providers, businesses and regulators, and are mainly funded by the Department for trade and Industry (DTI). www.ncc.org.uk.

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