CHESTER identity management provider GB Group has developed a system that allows people to securely access local authority information and conduct financial transactions.

The project has been in partnership with services provider Serco and computer giant Microsoft.

And the first scheme to go live has been launched in the London borough of Enfield.

The CitizenSafe system is based on GB’s ID3 technology and has taken 18 months to develop.

It allows citizens to verify their identity remotely when accessing information or entitlements from a local authority.

It is believed to be the first application of its kind in Government and could offer significant potential as the Government seeks to develop ‘e-government’ services and achieve greater efficiencies.

Enfield currently outsources all its information and communications technology to Serco – which also operates 50% of the Merseyrail train franchise – in a £24m five-year deal and other councils have also shown interest in the scheme, which could be extended to the private sector, particularly the financial industries.

GB chief executive Richard Law said today: “We have been working closely with both Serco and Microsoft to develop this exciting application.

“The service is simple, easy to use and has the ability to scale according to each council’s needs and requirements, which is exactly what the Government wants.”

He added: “I’m extremely pleased the GB Group’s CitizenSafe technology was chosen by Serco to fulfil this requirement and I’m excited by the potential for this application to be replicated.”

Serco spokesman Nigel Bates said: “Like most local authorities, Enfield is determined to maximise its online resources and accessibility to all of its services.

“Our highly productive partnership with GB Group and Microsoft has now resulted in a practical and flexible solution that meets both short and long term objectives for a local authority.

“Indeed, we expect the solution to be adopted widely throughout local Government, as well as by other organisations that require a secure ‘platform’ for online transactions.”