19 December 2003
Cabinet Office minister Douglas Alexander has announced that the e-envoy's office is to be scrapped, with a new head of e-government to be created next year.
The move signals a quick end to the low-profile position, occupied by Andrew Pinder for the past three years.
The new head of e-government will be responsible for ensuring that Whitehall departments meet stringent targets for implementing systems to support public sector reforms.
Alexander described the change as 'an evolution in the e-envoy role, which will build on the achievements of the past four years'.
Alexander announced the shake-up on the day the government published its annual report on the take-up of online services. Trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt announced plans to set up a private sector-led digital inclusion panel, which will advise the government on increasing the take up of digital services.
PFdec2003
