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Foreword

The world is changing around us at an incredible pace due to remarkable technological change.

This process can either overwhelm us, or make our lives better and our country stronger. What we can't do is pretend it is not happening.

Government has to respond to keep up with the hopes and aspirations of citizens and business, to remain efficient and trustworthy.

That is why I asked for a strategy on how we can use technology to transform government services.

I am delighted that the Chief Information Officers' Council and the Service Transformation Board have produced such a bold strategy.

The future of public services has to use technology to give citizens choice, with personalised services designed around their needs not the needs of the provider.

Within the public services we have to use technology to join up and share services rather than duplicate them. It is a simple fact that we are stronger and more effective when we work together than apart. It is also self evident that we will only be able to deliver the full benefits to customers that these new systems offer through using technology to integrate the process of government at the centre.

But most of all we have to have the right people with the right professional skills to plan, deliver and manage technology based change.

This strategy has the potential for real transformation of public services.

What delights me most though is that this strategy has come from the ground up. It shows that there is a real appetite for change and modernisation within the public services themselves.

This strategy has my full support and I am going to do all I can to help make it happen.

Rt Hon Tony Blair MP