Thousands of pounds spent on government iPhone apps

British taxpayers have paid thousands of pounds to Whitehall for the development of iPhone applications, it has been claimed.

Following a Freedom of Information request by the BBC, it was reported that government departments, including the Home Office and the Foreign Office had spent as much as £40,000 on creating the new applications.

One such application offered Brits heading abroad travel advice, while another, from the DVLA, is under development which will allow iPhone users to renew their car tax with their iPhone.

In an official statement, the government told the BBC that the future of iPhone app development was under review.

The Cabinet Office said: "The government recently announced a freeze on all marketing and advertising spend for this year and this includes iPhone applications."

"Future spend on iPhone development will be subject to strict controls: only essential activity, approved by the Efficiency and Reform Group, which is chaired by the minister for the Cabinet Office and the chief secretary to the Treasury, will be allowed."

Recently, Apple came under fire for the signal quality offered by its new iPhone 4.

Posted by Louise Tate