Tynwald endorses landmark digital strategy

Government wins support for overarching online strategy

Tynwald has approved a new digital strategy that will reach right across government.

Moved by Policy and Reform Minister John Shimmin as a route map for the future, the framework document contains little in the way of real detail - described instead as "version 0.1".

Mr Shimmin explained the idea was to use technology to make dealing with government easier and cheaper by offering efficient online services to the public.

He said the strategy could save taxpayers a million pounds a year for five years, and that money would be used to pay both for the necessary changes and enhancements to public services.

During the debate, some members questioned whether the government's information security could be trusted in the wake of breaches at Bus Vannin and Treasury.

But LibVann MHKs Peter Karran and Kate Beecroft were the only members to vote against the move.

An amendment from Mr Karran which would have seen the strategy referred to the economic policy review committee, was defeated.