A digitised record
Electronic records management
The vast majority of government records are now produced electronically and The National Archives works with central and local government organisations to ensure that this information is both stored securely and easily accessible. It is also working on improving its processes for archiving such records.
The management of electronic records was one of the vital underpinning elements in the Modernising Government programme (1999-2005), and continues to be so in the more recent Transformational Government programme (2005-present). It is key both to underpinning online service delivery and to meeting the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as they apply to providing access to official information and the Records Management Code under section 46.
With the switch to use of electronic records, The National Archives is looking to improve its processes and procedures with regard to appraisal, selection, transfer, storage, sustainability and delivery.
The National Archives has initiated a programme of work in the following key areas:
- Seamless Flow is about digital preservation; archiving digital information that's needed for permanent record and for public access
- Digital Continuity is about making sure that government can use its digital information for as long as it needs to, regardless of when it was created
- Web continuity is about ensuring that web links remain live even if documentation has moved or web addresses have changed
The National Archives also advises local government, which has similar responsibilities for online service delivery and Freedom of Information.
The National Archives helps organisations through the production of guidance, as well as liaison work.
Liaison work
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Liaison with central government is carried out by The National Archives' Information Management and Practice Department
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Liaison with local government is carried out by The National Archives' National Advisory Services
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Liaison internally at The National Archives with our Digital Continuity project supports the sustainability of electronic records
Archived material
The guidance listed below is no longer current. However, you can still access a version for reference in the UK Government Web Archive.
This page contains PDF files. See plug-ins and file formats for help in accessing these file types.
