HC Deb 12 July 2000 vol 353 cc602-3W
8. Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on progress in the modernising government programme. [128652]

18. Mr. Swayne

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement about progress on the modernising government programme. [128666]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Good progress is being made across the public sector: NHS Direct, the ONE project, internet access in libraries, and improved Government websites, as well as improved policies to tackle deep-seated problems like social exclusion.

This is a long term change programme. There will be further changes made to improve services to the public. These will include changing address in one transaction and help with life cycle events.

9. Mr. Ruffley

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the cost of the modernising government programme. [128656]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The modernising government programme is ongoing and integral to the work of every part of the public service. We are using specific funds, such as the Invest to Save Budget (totalling £230 million) and the Capital Modernisation Fund (totalling £1.1 billion) to assist in the process of modernisation. An example of the type of project that this money is going towards funding is the integration of services for pensioners at the Benefits Agency.

11. Mr. Fabricant

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on her Department's work in co-ordinating Government policy on the modernising government programme. [128659]

Mr. Ian McCartney

In July 1999 we published the Modernising Government Action Plan showing action in hand by the centre of government to promote and drive forward the commitments of the White Paper published earlier in March 1999. Progress against the Action Plan is reported regularly on the internet. The last update showed that over 90 per cent. of the activities were on course or had been delivered.