WIREDGOV

The future of the internet revealed - survey reveals Nation's wish list for online services

DIRECTGOV News Release issued by The Government News Network on 5 June 2007

Reporting crime and bad drivers, having job interviews, calculating carbon emissions and truancy alerts for parents are just some of the services that Britons long to have access to online, according to research released today. The national study* commissioned by public services supersite http://www.direct.gov.uk questioned parents, teenagers, over 50s, motorists and disabled people.

When asked what one online service they want from the internet in future the top answers were:
* 'No show' truancy alert if child doesn't arrive at school - Parents
* Taking a virtual tour of colleges or universities - 14-18 year olds
* Guide to local services for older people - over 50s
* Renew car tax online - Motorists
* Personalised journey planners mapped by accessibility - Disabled people

Parents - the virtual school
Parents revealed that they want to get more involved with their children's education, with a quarter most wanting to receive immediate online alerts if their child hasn't turned up for registration. In separate focus group sessions**, parents said they want to use online technology to support their child's learning, such as being able to play back school lessons to help with homework.

Almost one in 10 parents most want to have a bigger say in how their child's school is run, such as by taking part in online PTA meetings and one in 12 want to view the school's disciplinary record on the web. Tracking children's movements outside of school as a safety measure emerged as a key theme, with some even suggesting children should be fitted with a transmitter monitored by their parents!

Young people - planning for the future
Young people may have a reputation for gaming and chatting online, but the study revealed that 14-18 year olds actually want to be able to use the internet as a tool to improve themselves. When asked what service they most want from the internet in future, almost a fifth said they'd like to be able to take virtual tours of colleges and universities and this same figure most want to be able to have virtual driving lessons.
One in eight want to be able to ditch the traditional Saturday job to earn money online using their skills and one in 10, rising to one in six boys, most wanted to be able to learn trade skills such as mechanics or plumbing to help gain qualifications.

Over 50s - staying connected
One in five over 50s most desire a guide to local services for their age group, including transport, leisure, learning and health, while one in six most want to stay in better touch with friends and family via webcams and video conferencing. Planning for retirement, tracking pensions and making money online also featured highly.

Interestingly, some of the services most desired by the over 50s already exist or will be available in the near future on websites such as http://www.direct.gov.uk. This, coupled with the fact that only 48% of over 50s feel the internet has made their life better compared with the national average of 68%, suggests that this generation may be failing to take advantage of the web.

Motorists - responsible driving
For motorists, services which would save them time and make them a more responsible driver are a top priority. Over one in five most want to be able to renew their car tax online, one in 10 want to put their car through a virtual MOT and the same number want to renew their driving licence online. One in eight want to access their car's history and one in 10 want to be able to get insurance quotes for an accident online. With a growing environmental consciousness, one in seven drivers most want to be able to calculate the exact carbon emissions of their car and the youngest motorists seem keenest to report a bad driver (15% of 18-24 year olds).

Disabled people - passport to freedom
For disabled people the most desired future services are those which could allow them more time and freedom. One in 10 (one in five drivers) most want the ability to plan journeys with accessibility mapped out according to their requirements and over one in 10 want check-ups online by 'virtual medics'. A further one in 10 (one in five parents) want to meet more people with their condition online and one in seven 35-44 year olds most want to be able to have face-to-face meetings such as job interviews or benefit claims renewals online.

But what do people think are the most useful services that are currently offered online? Unsurprisingly the responses differed greatly across the groups.
Access to local health services and getting information about schools are most valuable for UK parents while teenagers rely on services where they can communicate with friends such as social networking sites and instant messaging.

Staying connected was also most valued by the older generation who rely on the web to keep in touch with friends and family, as well as using it to book travel or research hobbies. Disabled people most value being able to find Blue Badge parking spaces before leaving the house, and motorists find route planning the most useful service.

Spencer Kelly of the BBC's flagship technology programme, Click, said: "Internet technology is developing all the time and every group in society will benefit as its capabilities grow. Although some of the responses from the study may seem a little farfetched, there is no reason why you wouldn't be able to have a job interview or a health check-up online in future - after all, 10 years ago who'd have thought you would be able to do any of the things we now take for granted at the click of a button?"

Jayne Nicakalls, Director of Directgov explains the thinking behind the research: "With two thirds of our sample saying that the internet is invaluable in helping them to manage their lives, this project helps us to understand what information people want and scope to out the future of online services. Although each group has different needs and priorities, some themes did emerge; staying connected with friends and family, saving time and hassle by increasingly moving to web-based contact with public services and tools that enhance life experiences.

"With 60% of respondents saying they want more government services in one place online, all of the insights we gained will be taken into consideration as we plan the future of Directgov. The site currently offers a wide range of services and there's something for everyone, from advice on schools, applying for a driving license and finding a job, to understanding benefits rights, planning a journey and finding out about local recycling schemes."

Notes to editors
For more information please contact Betty Nwosu, Andrew Gerrard or Emma Thompson on 020 7025 7540 / 020 7025 7531 / 020 7025 7518 or email betty.nwosu@trimediahc.com / andrew.gerrard@trimediahc.com / emma.thompson@trimediahc.com
What parents want from the internet - top 5 responses
1. Immediate online alert if child hasn't turned up at registration
2. View my child's school disciplinary record online
3. Have a say in the running of my child's school e.g. online PTA meetings
4. Track my child's journey to or form school
5. Have a webcam in my child's classroom

What teenagers want from the internet - top 5 responses
1. Take a virtual tour of colleges or universities
2. Have virtual driving lessons
3. Earn money through using your skills online
4. Have job interviews
5. Have school lessons / tutorials

What over 50s want from the internet - top 5 responses
1 Find out about local services aimed at older people
2 Use webcams/video conferencing to stay in touch with friends, relatives
3 Tracking pensions
4 Planning for new life after retirement
5 Be able to use online services regardless of physical situation or impairment

What disabled people want from the internet - top 5 responses
1. Create a complete journey planner mapped by accessibility
2. Have face- to-face check ups
3. Meet people from local disability and other support groups
4. Have face- to-face meetings e.g. job interviews or benefit claim meetings
5. Ask questions and receive verbal information from a digital 'person'

What motorists want from the internet - top 5 responses
1. Renew car tax
2. Calculate carbon emissions and receive personalised advice on reducing them
3. Check car history
4. Get insurance quotes following an accident
5. Report a bad driver

*ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 2004 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 25-29 April 2007. Some respondents fitted into a number of categories. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM Research also interviewed a random, representative sample of 14-18 year olds by telephone between 25 April-6 May 2007. Results have been weighted to the profile of all 14-18 year olds. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at http://www.icmresearch.co.uk.

** Focus group research undertaken in partnership with Henley Centre - Headlight Vision, during April and May 2007

About Directgov
Directgov, the government's flagship digital service brings together the widest range of public service information and services in one place; available on mobile, digital television and the website http://www.direct.gov.uk
Directgov is the largest cross government initiative, joining up central and local government's service delivery, in a way that is easy to use and all in one place for citizens.
Launched in April 2004, Directgov now attracts more than 4 million visits a month.
The site also provides access to government directories, as well as links to relevant third parties who can offer additional trusted advice and support.