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Government rewards e-innovators

Kable

Published: 31 Mar 2005 09:40 BST

A video call centre for deaf people, wireless computers for council staff working out of the office and electronic "smart tag" system for housing repairs are three projects to receive an extra £6m investment, it was announced on 29 March 2005.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has launched the second round of its £14m e-innovations fund, to support the development of "cutting edge" technologies among councils.

The projects aim to address one of four themes: tackling social exclusion through IT; using technology to achieve efficiency savings; promoting "better leadership" in local government; and local authority e-business.

Projects covered include Liverpool City Council's text message service for frequently asked questions, an Internet TV scheme developed by the London borough of Newham and Westminster Council's wireless network.

The aim of the e-innovations fund, which began in 2003, is to encourage the development of technology in areas that have not yet played a major part in councils' e-government initiatives.

Councils did not bid for this second round of funding but instead worked with the private sector, voluntary organisations and academia to generate ideas.