The UK Government Cabinet office announced on 24 June 2010 that 75% of the 820+ government web sites will be closed down by 2011 and that the remaining sites should cut costs by 50% and ‘move onto common infrastructures’.
A rationalisation of websites set up by public bodies has been undertaken since 2006 when the previous government pledged to cull the number of web sites and to review the value of those that remain. After reviewing 1795 web sites run by government and partner agencies, over 1000 had been taken off line. Following a parliamentary question from Tom Watson (see Theyworkforyou.com- DEFRA web sites affected ) it was announced that 57 sites managed by DEFRA would be closed by April 2011 (Spot the missing site – 57 announced – only 56 listed!) » Read more: 57 UK Environment web sites to close
