Financial implications

50 The cost of implementing new parts of the strategy for which the E-government Unit is responsible has been funded through the 2003/04 Budget, with the exception of the authentication project. The final cost for an authentication solution will depend on the outcome of decisions to be made on the approach for implementing the authentication policy framework we agreed in April 2002 [CAB Min (02) 12/2A refers].

51 The strategy will also have a financial impact in agencies, as they seek funding to implement e-government initiatives. Ministers should regard the cost of e-government initiatives as reflecting normal agency spending on information and technology, or development of new or improved services and business processes. E-government reshapes why and how agencies spend money on these things. Ministers have already made decisions intended to ensure that all e-government initiatives are in alignment with the E-government Strategy; that each proposed initiatives has net benefits (thereby ensuring the portfolio of e-government initiatives has net benefits at any time; and that initiatives put forward for new funding align with budget strategies and priorities, and include assessment of costs, benefits and risks; and business case development [CAB Min (02) 8/2A refers].