[A2k] bbc: Tories want open source whitehall

[Michelle Childs]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6430069.stm

Tories want open source Whitehall


The (UK) government could save more than =A3600 million a year if it
used more open source software, the shadow chancellor has estimated.

George Osborne said the savings would cut 5% off Whitehall's annual
IT bill.

He called for a more "level playing field" for all software
companies, and urged "cultural change" in government.

Open source software allows users to read, alter and improve its code
- in contrast to proprietary software where a company controls the
source code.

In a speech on Thursday, Mr Osborne said that despite a government
report in 2004 saying there would be "significant savings" in
hardware and software if open source software was used, many
government departments had not implemented it.

"The problem is that the cultural change has not taken place in
government," he said.

He listed various countries which have successfully used open source
software for government projects, including Japan switching its
entire payroll system over with an expected halving of costs.

In the UK some public bodies had used open source software, such as
Bristol City Council and Carmathenshire County Council, with savings.

The Department for Education and Skills found that on average primary
schools using open source software cut IT costs per PC by 50%, he said.

Transforming politics

Using open source software was about "better and more effective
government".

He criticised government IT procurement for lacking "open standards"
and making it difficult for small companies to get the contracts.

"All too often a government IT system is incompatible with other
types of software, which stifles competition and hampers innovation.

"Looking at the litany of IT projects that have collapsed or
spiralled over budget, it's clear too that this has meant billions of
pounds wasted and public service reform being hampered," Mr Osborne
said.

"The government's approach needs to be overhauled."

As technology changes, with more people able to access more
information, Mr Osborne said: "The internet age is transforming
politics and has the capacity to transform government."