The December 2005 target is well within reach of all local authorities to become fully electronically enabled, according to local e-government minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

"The programme has overseen a sea change in the electronic enablement of council services from just 26% in March 2002 to 77% in March 2005," the minister said.

In nearly 200 councils, citizens can now go online to submit planning applications or calculate their benefits entitlement. Near universal online coverage is now offered by councils in England for renewing library books, accessing public transport information and viewing council reports and committee minutes.

"The December 2005 target is well within the reach of local authorities, and reaffirms the huge potential for efficiency gains," said Mr Fitzpatrick.

July's Implementing Electronic Government returns based on a 100% response rate from local authorities show that:

• The average council was 77% e-enabled by the end of March this year and expects to meet the December 2005 target.
• By the end of next month, councils forecast that 93% of all priority outcomes for local e-government will be at ‘amber’ or ‘green’ for implementation.

And on efficiency:

• e-government is contributing around 15 per cent (£115m) of total backward look efficiency gains in Annual Efficiency Statements of £750m for 2004-05.
• £115m efficiency gains in 2004/05 as a direct result of investment in Local e-Government, rising to £277m in 2005-06, £307m in 2006-07 and £362 million in 2007-08.
• Total efficiency gains from investment in Local e-Government of £1.1 billion from 2004-05 to 2007/08.