What is the e-envoy and what does he or she do

Asks matthewculter

A. The e-Envoy is a governmental position set up to target all aspects of e-business in the UK, with a special mandate to lead the drive to get the UK online.

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The Office of the e-Envoy was set up in September 1999 as part of the Cabinet Office, and the e-Envoy - Andrew Pinder - was appointed to office in January 2001.

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Q. Does the e-Envoy have a set of objectives outlined for the near future

A. Yes, in order to get the UK online and ensure that the UK, its citizens and its businesses derive the most from the knowledge economy, the Office of the e-Envoy has three core objectives:

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* to make the UK the best environment in the world for e-commerce by 2002

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* to ensure that everyone who wants it has access to the Internet by 2005

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* to make all government services available electronically by 2005

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Q. Is the e-Envoy supported by any MPs or ministers

A. Yes, Patricia Hewitt, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has overall responsibility for the government's e-Agenda and e-Strategy. In addition to this, Douglas Alexander the Minister of State for E-Commerce and Competitiveness takes the day-to-day lead on all e-Commerce issues and Lord Macdonald of Tradeston CBE, takes the lead on e-Government issues.

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Q. Is the e-Envoy involved with the UK's Online Strategy, and if so what is the strategy

A. The UK's Online Strategy is the government's programme for ensuring that the UK is a world leader in what it calls the knowledge economy. The Online Strategy was published at the end of 2000 as part of the e-Envoy's (and the e-Minister's) first Annual Report and sets out a range of recommendations for action across the e-Agenda.

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However, it is a 94-page document so it far too long to go into detail here on its contents, but you can take a look at it if you go to http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/. It basically outlines ways in which to get UK citizens online and maintain them, and how to encourage enthusiasm in the local community and explain the benefits of having access to the Internet to millions of people who have no interest in it.

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Q. How will the government (or the e-Envoy's office) actually ensure that the whole of the UK has access to the Internet by 2005 - that's only three years away and a massive task

A. It has in place several measures that will make it easier for anyone to access the Internet now, with guarantees that the whole population will have access - if they want it - by 2005. This doesn't actually mean giving every household a computer, but rather communal access to all citizens, it is hoped that this will be achieved in the following ways:

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* Creation of Online Centres - 1,200 were launched in March 2001. and a target total of 6,000 has been set for the end of 2002.

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* Currently, 59% of all public libraries have Internet access, by the end of 2002 all public libraries will be online.

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* Internet Learning Access Points will be set up in Post Offices, and the government will invest �35 million to get this service up and running.

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* Wired Up Communities is a programme that promotes access to the Internet in some of the most deprived and isolated communities in the country.

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* Computers Within Reach offers low cost, recycled PCs to low-income families.

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* Learn Direct is a project that will set up learning centres around the country - so that people can learn about new technologies either at home, at work or in specially set up centres. It aims to have stimulated a demand for one million courses by 2003.

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* Free UK Online Computer Training for anyone on benefits is available now - for more information telephone 0800 100 900.

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The government will also finance and stimulate an interest in computers and computer literacy within schools, colleges and universities. In order to do this the government has taken steps to ensure that ICT training is embedded into the education system by:

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* Investing �700 million to improve the ICT infrastructure in schools, and further and higher education establishments

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* Investing �230 million to improve ICT skill levels among educators

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* Establishing City Learning Centres - so that school pupils get the most out of the Internet.

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* Establishing the National Grid for Learning _ which will ensure that all schools and colleges are connected to the Internet by 2002.

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Q. How many people can actually access the Internet from home

A. According to the Office for National Statistics, as of June 2001 9.4 million people could access the Internet from home, which translates into approximately one third of all households.

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If you have any other Internet & Technology related questions, please click here

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By Karen Anderson