WIREDGOV

A new digital product, launched by the Cabinet Office, will send reminders and updates on applications and services right across government. 

• updates on student loan status, passport applications, and voter registration
• no more waiting on the phone when dealing with central government
• GOV.UK Notify designed to be used by all government departments

Officially launched yesterday in public Beta, GOV.UK Notify will be used for issuing updates on student loans, lasting power of attorney, passports, voter registration, and the digital marketplace for small and medium sized businesses.

A further 70 service areas from across government are already now looking to use GOV.UK Notify.

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, Ben Gummer, said:

Whether you are a parent applying for a passport, a student checking your finances, or a business owner seeking to work on government contracts – we want to make it as easy as possible for you.

In GOV.UK Notify, we have developed an impressive, cost-saving product that can be used across any government department for lots of different services – making it easier for the public to interact with government and keep track of their applications and requests.

GOV.UK Notify has been developed by the Government Digital Service, which is the digital arm of the Cabinet Office and has a £450 million budget to transform the way government delivers its services.

It is a ‘Government as a Platform’ product, designed once, to be re-used by government departments for hundreds of public services.

It is also a time saving measure, with emphasis on helping the public to get updates on their applications and services when and where they want them, without having to make a call and then wait on hold.

This reduces the cost to government, which in turns saves money for taxpayers. Email is free, text messages can be sent for less than 2 pence, and letters sent under the new system will cost less than a second class stamp. A call to government can cost the taxpayer up to £12.