{"id":22101,"date":"2013-07-30T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2013-07-30T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=df60194108e37976674c50e15b1e60e0"},"modified":"2013-07-30T07:30:00","modified_gmt":"2013-07-30T07:30:00","slug":"press-release-new-online-tool-invites-taxpayers-to-join-the-hunt-for-government-savings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=22101","title":{"rendered":"Press release: New online tool invites taxpayers to join the hunt for government savings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A powerful new online tool<\/a> which presents taxpayers with an unprecedented view of how their money is spent was launched today by Cabinet Office Minister Chlo\u00eb Smith. Opening the government\u2019s books in this way will increase accountability and transparency, paving the way for further savings.<\/p>\n

One of the first of its kind in the world, the Government Interrogating Spending Tool \u2013 GIST<\/abbr> for short \u2013 represents the next stage in the government\u2019s transparency agenda. <\/p>\n

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Try out the tool<\/a> to find out how much is spent per person in the UK in each area, see data visualisations and compare departments\u2019 data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Easily accessible to the public, GIST<\/abbr> presents departmental spending data in a clear, intuitive and user-friendly manner, which allows users to monitor and compare spending by different government departments. Previously this data was only published in clunky spreadsheet form, and the data was complicated to interpret and difficult to compare.<\/p>\n

As more data is added to GIST<\/abbr> over time, users will also be able to make historical comparisons and identify trends. They can also see a breakdown of what each area of spending costs them personally. <\/p>\n

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GIST<\/abbr> is currently in beta – let us know what you think and how the tool could be improved at erg.mi@erg.cabinet-office.gov.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Chlo\u00eb Smith said:<\/p>\n

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The government will leave no stone unturned when it comes to dealing with the deficit. Greater transparency can help us identify wasteful spending. That\u2019s why we\u2019re launching a new, easy-to-use, interactive tool that gives the public the chance to compare data in a smart and intuitive format.<\/p>\n

GIST<\/abbr>, for the first time, lays open the government\u2019s books and crucially provides a user-friendly tool with which to analyse the data. This puts meaningful information and analysis at the fingertips of all.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Stephen Kelly, Chief Operating Officer for government, said:<\/p>\n

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Last year we saved \u00a310 billion<\/a>, but we know that to bring costs down further and achieve the lowest sustainable cost base for government, we need to use data more effectively. By publishing better information about departmental spending, and comparing departmental performance alongside external benchmarks, we will find new ways to save money for taxpayers.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Matthew Sinclair, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers\u2019 Alliance,<\/a> said: <\/p>\n

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For too long Whitehall has kept taxpayers in the dark about how their cash is spent, so putting more data online is a huge step forward for transparency. What\u2019s more, the GIST<\/abbr> makes government spending simple to understand, so it is easier for taxpayers to root out waste. After all, power should be in the hands of those who are footing the bills, not those who are spending other people\u2019s money.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Part of the Civil Service Reform Plan,<\/a> the importance of consistent and comparable management information has been consistently raised by Lord Browne and other government non-executive directors and is a long-standing priority for the Cabinet Office. <\/p>\n

Better data about government spending and performance helps drive up performance and highlights areas for further efficiency savings, which last year shaved \u00a310 billion from the cost of Whitehall.<\/p>\n

GIST<\/abbr> allows users to view 2 sets of data: <\/p>\n