17 Dec 2009

Govt 'should use IT more efficiently'

Rather than cutting back on spending, the government should ensure its IT infrastructure is running as efficiently as possible, it has been claimed.

Sureyya Cansoy, associate director at Intellect, said if the government made its information and communications technology less wasteful, it could make efficiency and cost improvements, while still enabling investment - with managed desktop or hosted exchange systems just one route it could follow.

"What they should do with the deficiencies is invest it back into transformative and innovative technologies which can help the government cut its operational costs overall," she commented.

According to chancellor of the exchequer Alistair Darling in last week's pre-Budget report, government IT projects will be among the areas that will see cuts, as well as pensions, legal aid, prison reform and residential care.

He noted the government will be looking to save up to £500 million next year by reducing IT spending.