Government signs up to Facebook

The government is planning to use social networking sites such as Facebook to interact with the public as part of a new communication plan.

The move comes as part of a drive launched last week by the minister for transformational government Tom Watson, aimed at helping Westminster engage with the public in new and more informal ways.

The aim is to tailor government services to the citizen, rather than vice versa, Watson told Computing.

“Sharing information is a good way of starting to reform our public services,” he said.

“We want there to be more ways for people to engage with what the government is doing.”

The Cabinet Office will this month publish a set of ethical guidelines for civil servants about using social networking forums.

And a Whitehall taskforce spearheaded by Watson will look at wider moves into information sharing between government and the public.

Initiatives already under way include opening up Ordnance Survey data for mash-ups, the well-established Downing Street e-petition web site and government information site DirectGov.

Last week saw the Cabinet Office publish a report measuring the government’s progress against the Power of Information review ­ – a June 2007 paper aimed at improving communication with the public.

The government has learned from the success of sites such as Netmums ­ – a social forum for mothers ­ – and NHS Choices, which features interactive health discussions.

The private sector has been using interactive technology for some time ­ – Tesco and Waitrose have benefited from improved communication with customers.

The government could use similar systems to gauge public reaction to its policies, said Eric Woods, public sector analyst at Ovum.

“Customers in the public sector will become more empowered with their feedback ­ – the issue is making sure that those communicating provide a representative view,” he said.

The Power of Information review also recommends the government improve public access to state-held information collected with taxpayers’ money.

In particular the review wants to improve access to trading funds ­ – public bodies set up to make commercial use of government information, such as Land Registry, Ordnance Survey, and its maritime equivalent the UK Hydrographic Office. These organisations will still charge for access to information, but at greatly reduced rates.

“The potential for innovation is much greater if smaller companies can have access to this information,” said Nick Kalisperas, director of public sector for supplier trade body Intellect.

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