New one stop service for GOV.UK unveiled

Plans to make it easier for the public to access online government services via an app have been set out today by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay.

The plans mean that the public will no longer have to remember multiple usernames and passwords to access services such as free school meals, support for disabled family members and changing driver licence details in the future.

The announcement builds on the Government's change of approach to single sign-in, reported in April.

The new app will allow people to access services much more easily, instead of having to go through multiple online processes. It will give users the option to use the technology in their smartphones to quickly access government services online via GOV.UK.

Currently, there are 191 different ways for people to set up a variety of accounts to access different services on GOV.UK, with 44 different sign-in methods.

This is in stark contrast to the private sector, where people expect to be able to log into and access a variety of different services via their smartphone.

"Now more than ever, it is important that government responds to people’s heightened expectations about the services they use," said Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay. "During the pandemic, people have had to interact with public services in a variety of new ways, including the NHS app and the vaccine booking service. People expect government to be data-driven and digitally literate, and this will be a priority."

As part of the development of the app, the Government Digital Service (GDS) is working across all government departments to make sure as many services as possible can be used.