Gov.uk, the test site of the citizen-facing, new UK government website is now live. It is the first phase in Martha Lane Fox's plan to create a simpler, clearer and faster way to access online government information and services. Longer term, .gov.uk is intended to cover the digital estate currently filled by Directgov, Business Link and other gov.uk websites.

Stop press!!! Cabinet Office acknowledges the importance of using controlled lists (LGSL & LGIL) and the role they play in delivering accurate web services!!!

http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/02/14/local-services-and-gov-uk/

Gov.uk is different from Alpha (www.alpha.gov.uk) in that the Alpha was more about the concept and idea, and trying new, quicker and cheaper ways to develop. The Government Delivery Service team (http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/) (GDS), have taken the Alpha feedback and used it to drive improvements in .gov.uk.  

A lot of the editorial content and services on .gov.uk will continue to be delivered by departments and agencies who will publish to a shared platform.