Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude praised the UK’s position as a “world leader” in being “digital-by-default” for government services.

Mr Maude said that technology had a huge role in increasing transparency within governments and the way in which citizens have come to access information: “people consume information and buy goods and services is shifting decisively online – digital is not just another channel, it is the medium of choice for this generation."

The comments were made in a joint opinion-piece on the Guardian Online, with Mr Maude writing with New Zealand internal affairs minister Chris Tremain, detailing how the UK had helped to inform New Zealand’s own digital strategy.

Mr Maude said that the UK government was moving to meet the public’s user-friendly service expectations, with the 24 hour nature of online access having led to an expectancy of constant access to public services.

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