Tuesday, July 07, 2009
A survey from the National Endowment for Society, Technology and Arts (Nesta) has found the public is unsure about moving crucial public services online.
The survey found asked 1,092 people 'Do you think switching as many public services and facilities as possible online is a good thing?' The results showed 57 per cent replied maybe, 22 per cent said yes and 21 per cent said no.
The speed of change was also met with caution, with only 4 per cent welcoming the idea of making the switch as soon as possible. Almost three-quarters said the switch should happen within the next five years, 18 per cent said 10 years and 3 per cent chose 20 years.
Although the survey revealed a cautious tone towards mass-change, the respondents did show an appreciation for the benefits online services can bring. When asked why they could be a good thing, 84 per cent said online services would save time, 60 per cent said they would make services easier to access, 57 per cent said they would meet their personal needs and 56 per cent said they would save both the public sector's and the user's money.
But doubts were raised in their potential to increase efficiency. Just 39 per cent believed they would help to run things more efficiently or make it easier for users to provide feedback to a service.
Concerns were also expressed about privacy and security, with 50 per cent of respondents saying it would be "somewhat" of a problem.
Despite the survey's mixed results, Nesta's chief executive Jonathan Kestenbaum insisted that an increased emphasis on online public services must go ahead.
"It's clear that the UK is committed to an online future. We've got to use this to our advantage by making our public services accessible to people. Our economy will depend on it," he said. |