Government appoints director of digital engagement

Stott will be tasked with improving Whitehall's online communications

The Cabinet Office has appointed Andrew Stott, currently the government deputy chief information officer, as its director of digital engagement.

The role has been created specially and is aimed at improving the public sector's engagement with citizens through the internet. It is in the second highest civil service pay band.

The two key goals will be to assist government in making effective use of current digital spend and helping departments introduce digital ways of engaging with the public that are cheaper than face-to-face and postal methods.

Stott will report directly to the minister for digital engagement, Tom Watson, who welcomed the appointment.

"I am delighted that Andrew Stott will be leading on these vital programmes for government," he said.

"His personal involvement in the development of the strategy and his Whitehall experience will be complemented by the new external high level advisory panel that will succeed the Taskforce."

Stott will also have overall responsibility for implementing the recommendations of the Power of Information Taskforce, which include opening up government information on things such as crime, hospitals and schools to all individuals.

He will also be encouraging MPs to blog and Twitter on their activities and will himself be posting updates on Twitter at Twitter.com/DirDigEng.