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No digital surprises in Labour manifesto

13/04/15

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Party fails to find new rabbits to pull out of the digital public service hat

Labour's election manifesto published today promises to build a "more connected society" but the party has not produced any novel policy suggestions to make this reality.

In a set of proposals already trailed in policy documents, the manifesto pledges:

  • To further develop digital government to enable better communication, more collaboration, and sharing of data between services.
  • Making digital government more inclusive, transparent and accountable.
  • Continuing to back the principle of "open data by default", releasing public sector performance data "wherever possible".

It also promises to use digital technology to create a more responsive, devolved, and less costly system of government.

On broadband connectivity, the manifesto says "Labour will ensure that all parts of the country benefit from affordable, high speed broadband by the end of the parliament. We will work with the industry and the regulator to maximise private sector investment and deliver the mobile infrastructure needed to extend coverage and reduce 'not spots', including in areas of market failure."

The party's plans for public service reform include pooling funds across local areas to reduce inefficiency and avoid duplication. "Services must be joined up in ways that make sense to the people who use them."

Pictured: Binary Code | HAAP Media Ltd. ("freeimages")

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