Citizens Lack Belief In Government’s Digital Services

Only 2% of UK citizens believe in the government’s ability to offer digital public services in a way that positively impacts their lives, according to market research firm YouGov and the Citrix Synergy Conference.

Whitehall is currently embarking on two-year plan that aims to see 25 of the most used government services moved online following the discovery that this is cheaper.

Despite this, a survey of 2331 adults in the country has revealed a large lack of confidence in potential users.

However, those polled were optimistic about other areas in technology - particularly those related to health.

Some 20% of respondents said they believe devices such as heart rate monitors and fitness watches will be the next big trend with the largest impact over the next 25 years.

Meanwhile, participants said that they saw renewable energy and 3D printing having an effect on their lives in the future.

However, they were not so sure that electric vehicles, wearable tech and geo-tagging marketing would have much of an impact on them.

Civil Servants Also Lack Confidence

Citizens are not alone when it comes to their lack of confidence in a digital government, as many civil servants themselves have revealed concerns.

Research conducted by Unify, formerly Siemens Enterprise Communications, discovered in February that only 36% of employees in government departments believed their organisation had the skills to achieve the “Digital By Default” agenda.

Meanwhile, last month the Department of Health admitted its civil servants lacked confidence when it came to new technology and introduced a new programme to improve digital skills within the Department.

© 24N.biz