Chancellor Gordon Brown has outlined his vision of a hi-tech local government, complete with ‘double devolution' and ‘reinvigorated parish councils'.

Speaking at the Putting people first conference in London, the chancellor said councils should be using the Internet to give people a more tailored service. Mr Brown cited the example of a scheme at Tower Hamlets LBC, where residents can now use the Internet to report abandoned cars, graffiti or vandalism. ‘We also need far better triggers for action so that local people who find the services unacceptable and in need of change can secure change,' he said.