We have developed a new directory which brings together contact details for a range of government services, including telephone numbers, website and e-mail addresses and details of hours when services are available. The Government has given a commitment that public services will be available for longer - up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where there is a demand. That might mean being available to talk to someone on the 'phone at 8 or 9pm, or responding to enquiries made through an interactive website. Research into the level of demand is now under way. Information about Government services is often published as leaflets.
Many services have to be applied for by filling in a form.
But leaflets and forms are not always easy for the customer to understand. The 'bereavement' Service Action Team completed its work on improving information provision for the bereaved in summer 2000. The Retirement Service Action Team has produced a Retirement Checklist which is intended for the use of agencies in the public and voluntary sectors when seeking of offer people advice in the period leading up to retirement. It offers a checklist which covers main issues. They have also worked in Partnership with DSS on their new customer focussed website.