A new digital tool, GOV.UK Forms is making the way the general public access essential government services easier and quicker
After successful trials that saved time and improved efficiency, the tool is now being rolled out across the entire UK government, improving the process of applying for everything from emergency travel documents to compensation for victims of historical injustices.
No more long paper forms
The tool has already made an impact, helping over 20,000 armed forces personnel apply for veteran badges and enabling hundreds of victims of the Horizon IT scandal to apply for redress.
By eliminating the need for long paper forms and organisational delays, GOV.UK Forms has reduced the time it takes to complete applications; some forms can now be filled out in less than five minutes.
The tool has already been used to help the public register XL Bully dogs and recruit over 400 new volunteer coastguards. As a result, the government has estimated that it has already saved the equivalent of two years in processing time.
One of the main advantages of GOV.UK Forms is that it removes the need for paper-based forms, which are often long and hard to navigate.
Instead, users can access an online platform to complete their applications, making the process not only faster but also more accessible. The platform is designed with accessibility and cybersecurity standards in mind, making sure it is easy for all users to navigate and secure for sharing personal information.
User-friendly forms
The tool is part of the UK government’s wider digital transformation efforts, aimed at improving public services and reducing the administrative burden on government departments.
Civil servants can use GOV.UK Forms to create and manage secure, user-friendly forms without the need for coding or design skills, freeing up resources to focus on delivering better services to the public.
As part of its ongoing development, GOV.UK Forms is now entering a public beta phase, meaning it will be applied more widely to additional government services. This will allow more citizens to benefit from faster, more efficient processes when interacting with the government.
