The government has said its departments are free to consider any browser, and should consider open-source software including Firefox.
According to a parliamentary written answer from Cabinet Office minister Angela Smith, there is no rule that says government departments must use Microsoft's Internet Explorer, even though it is the browser most widely used within Whitehall.
When asked by Francis Maude MP what the government's policy on the installation of different web browsers is, Smith said: "Government policy regarding installation and use of web browsers is that all decisions must be in line with value-for-money requirements.
"In addition, the open source, open standards, re-use strategy requires departments to consider open-source browsers such as Firefox and Opera on a level basis with proprietary browsers such as Internet Explorer," she added in a written answer published on 24 February.
The use of Internet Explorer, particularly IE6, by some government departments has caused controversy as the browser is considered to pose security risks. In July 2009, Labour MP Tom Watson told GC News that he was dismayed that some departments still use IE6, adding that civil servants should be given the choice of using Firefox, Chrome or Safari browsers.
In January the Department of Health issued a bulletin advising NHS trusts to move to IE7 due to security risks. A number of departments including Children, Schools and Families and the Home Office plan to upgrade to IE7 in 2010, but in July last year, the Ministry of Defence said it had no plans to scrap IE6.
