The short video animation brings to life how customers can access more than 250 HMRC online services via both the department’s own website and other websites incorporating HMRC’s online forms and services. The same underlying portal technology processes all this customer data, and the Department’s success at opening up these services for third parties to develop and tailor services for their own clients is recognized in RaceOnline2012’s report into the future of online Government services.

HMRC’s portal service is run by Aspire, HMRC’s IT contract with Capgemini. Capgemini developed the core service with HMRC, and integrates and manages specialist software providers to meet business requirements and value-for-money criteria. The Open Source technologies that have been chosen avoid proprietary licensing costs, have a proven track record, a large user community and enterprise-class support.

Martha Lane Fox, the Government’s UK Digital Champion, estimates that over a billion pounds can be saved if just 30% of services move to digital. For any government department that wishes to exploit this “Channel Shift,” with a safe, simple and easy-to-use online service, there is a ready-made solution available that is robust, scalable and cost-efficient.