By Vivienne Russell
3 August 2010
Social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter could transform the way government interacts with its citizens, according to accountants KPMG.
A report from the consultancy, published today, says these applications could also improve efficiency. For example, IT costs could be reduced by making use of ‘cloud computing’.
Keith Bannister, KPMG’s UK head of IT advisory for government, said: ‘With the public sector facing intense scrutiny of its budgets, it should clearly be exploring where these tools can ease financial pressure and improve public service delivery.’
The report, Dynamic technologies for smarter government, says both financial pressures and the push for more transparent and open government have encouraged greater take-up of technology in the public sector.
It cites the websites FixMyStreet.com and HealthMap.org as examples of citizen-led initiatives that put pressure on governments at local, national and global levels.
Bannister said: ‘The new UK government is committed to increasing transparency, having published numerous new datasets since coming to power. These technologies provide an ideal outlet for this kind of information whilst also enabling the government to better understand and made use of its existing data.’
But he said the government would have to overcome concerns about the security of information if it is to reap the benefits of these applications, which are collectively known as Web 2.0.
As well as social networking, Web 2.0 includes blogging, wikis (websites whose content can be easily edited by users) and video-sharing sites such as YouTube.
