MORE people than ever are using the Isle of Man government’s internet online services with more than 100,000 transactions since being launched in 2006.
The figures, released today by the Department of Economic Development, show that in excess of 15,000 individuals and companies are now using the online system and have so far made payments totalling £85 million.
The transactions include income tax, planning applications, rates, electricity and various other payments across all departments.
The statistics come in the same week that the UK government announced that it is considering forcing households to use the internet to access services, in an attempt to save money.
Officials in the UK want everyone to use the internet to obtain such things as driving licences, passports, student loans and pension credit and disability pensions. They claim it will save billions of pounds per year.
However, the idea has already sparked controversy as it will discriminate against pensioners because many older people have never used a computer and have no intention of doing so. It is estimated that around 27% of all UK households have no internet connection.
Over 50s group Saga said it was “an outrageous idea” claiming that the UK government coalition was out of touch with senior citizens.
However, Lord Oakeshott, one of the LibDem’s treasury spokesmen said, “We must cut costs and boost post offices as much as we possibly can.”
Cabinet Office minister Frances Maude said vulnerable groups would be able to fill in forms digitally at post offices. The changes will be phased in over the next few years. The first service to go online will be student loans, followed by school-related benefits such as school meals.
The Isle of Man is well ahead of the UK in terms of the online payment services on offer. Manx residents can save valuable time when paying their Government bills, such as for rates and electricity, submitting their tax returns and viewing planning applications.
In addition, the Department of Economic Development’s Online Services facility has now been made even easier to use thanks to work just completed by its Information Systems Division (ISD). Existing users of the Isle of Man Government’s Online Services will notice a difference to the way services are presented and new users will have the benefit of a simpler way of registering to use the site.
Minister for Economic Development, Allan Bell MHK, said, “Since the launch of Online Services in 2006, the Government has continued to offer additional services that allow interaction with various departments over the internet.
“To date, over 15,000 individuals and companies have registered with the site and around 100,000 transactions have been processed handling around £85 million in receipted funds. While new services are being added all the time, the way those services were accessed hadn’t changed, until now.”
The Department said that using online services can offer a win-win situation as it creates benefits for its users and for government. “It’s more convenient for the customer as it allows them to interact with Government when and where they choose.
“The benefit to Government is that the cost of delivering the particular service is reduced. With access and the use of the Internet now well established in the Island, local residents and businesses are encouraged to look in to interacting with Government in this way.”
Online Services Currently Available
• Planning Applications
• Job Search Notifications
• Accommodation Providers Availability Update
• Rates Payment
• MEA Payments
• Cattle Passports (BITS)
• Income Tax returns
• VAT returns and payments
Online Services coming soon
• Tax services to enable an employer to submit an online T9 form without the T14 ITIP and NI fields being completed
• Provide on-line access to documents issued by Income Tax
• Online work permits where you can view, renew or cancel permits and make payments
