IN between tackling truckers and stopping the nation from hurling itself headlong into anarchy, Mr Tony Blair announced a big shake-up of e-commerce and e-Government this week.

Their report, e.gov: electronic government services for the 21st century, was published this week, together with the announcement of £1 billion to make sure the Government can deliver itself online by 2005.

E-Government Minister Ian McCartney said: "This is a key strategy in our drive to create 24-hour Government at people's fingertips. We are determined to modernise public services, making them more convenient and accessible. Why should people have to wait in line, when they can get online?"

Mr Blair himself said: "new mechanisms to foster, within Government, the innovative, entrepreneurial culture we see in the dot coms. And new opportunities for the private and voluntary sectors to bring Government services to the citizen."

Sounds great, but will it happen? We'll see.

www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation