E-businesses give Government 'thumbs-down' in latest survey

According to a survey undertaken by Internet World UK 2000, 93 per cent of e-movers and shakers don't think the Government is communicating effectively with British business on e-commerce.

Leading dot.coms and blue chips set to be at Internet World UK 2000 (23-25 May at Earls Court 2), have given a resounding 'thumbs down' to the British Government's recent record on UK.com. Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged last year to make the UK "the best place to trade electronically by 2002", but according to industry leaders in the new economy, only seven per cent of respondents think that the e-commerce minister, Patricia Hewitt, is doing an effective job.

The survey results make uncomfortable reading for anyone involved in the development of a potentially world-beating UK.com. Only 15 per cent of respondents think that the UK government is helping the country to keep pace with the dynamic world of e-commerce with the result that the UK is falling further behind the US and other 'e-savvy' nations each day.

Phil Nelson, Show Director, Internet World UK 2000 said: "If the UK is to live up to its potential and become a major force in the new economy, then the British Government needs to listen more to what these e-business leaders are saying and act on their advice. We invited Tony Blair to do the keynote speech at this year's Internet World show. It's a pity he can't make it, because the show would have provided him with a perfect platform from which to reinforce the Government's commitment to UK.com."

John Griffiths, managing director at e-commerce specialist Intershop, and one of the survey respondents, commented: "Everything that is related to e-commerce has to be executed at lightning speed and be followed up with immediate action. The British Government has to move faster if this country is to be a major contender in the global race for e-leadership. As a company helping to set up successful e-marketplaces and e-businesses worldwide, we believe that the Government needs to work more closely with British businesses, if UK.com is to thrive. The very concept of 'Bills' and 'Committees' and 'Envoys' misses the point!"

In the survey, 35 per cent of respondents said that they thought Richard Branson would make a better e-envoy than the incumbent, Alex Allen. In fact, only one fifth of those surveyed knew who the e-envoy was, which is a 'worrying statistic' given that Allen's primary role is to encourage British businesses to get online.

Summing up the survey results, Phil Nelson said: "We'd like these results to serve as a wake-up call to Blair and Hewitt to give a higher priority to e-commerce. In our survey, 72 per cent of respondents felt that this was essential. Let's hope the British Government takes up the challenge, for the sake of Britain and British business."