Labour takes rap over response time

Year 2000 Government sets up belated millennium group

The Labour Party has been criticised for doing too little too late over the millennium problem, after the government finally embarked on a flurry of activity.

Prime minister Tony Blair, who has been attacked for not taking a personal lead in year 2000 campaigns within Whitehall and the private sector, has set up a millennium Ministerial Group. It will be chaired by Margaret Beckett, president of the Board of Trade, to spearhead work underway in both public and private sectors.

Blair also answered recent criticism that the public sector was confused and complacent about the millennium problem, outlining the year 2000 responsibilities of the major government departments. Their activities will be overseen by the Ministerial Group.

Blair said: 'I am determined to tackle the century date change problem across both the government and the private sector. Action 2000 is already doing very good work and we are asking Don Cruickshank to advise on the public sector as well. I want the UK to take a leading role in the world in tackling the century date change.'

The prime minister's actions follow weeks of reports that the government was two months behind schedule in publishing action plans for a project which the Liberal Democrats calculate could cost Whitehall departments #1 billion.

David Clark, minister for public services, refuted the claims, saying it would cost only #370 million to put Whitehall systems to right. He claimed the majority of departments and agencies would be ready by December 1998.

Blair's message was welcomed by Robin Guenier, executive director of Taskforce 2000, which has been calling for the prime minister's personal involvement for some time.

However, he claimed that the government does not understand the full extent of the problem. He said: 'I'm pleased about the prime ministerial and cabinet involvement, but it must be the start of a real government drive on the issue, not simply a sop to dampen criticism.' Guenier believes the government's estimate of #370 million is a quarter of what the real cost of updating could be.