The much anticipated site is set to act as a single domain for citizens accessing services and information across government, but is currently running in beta with new feature being added to the site every week or two.

A new banner on the website says: "Welcome to GOV.UK. From 17 October this website will replace Directgov and Businesslink as the best place to find government services and information."

website is nearly five times lower than that of Directgov. Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said in a parliamentary written answer that the budget for 2011-12 and the financial year to date of the GOV.UK, including its alpha and beta sites, is "approximately £4.6 million".

In contrast, the government revealed that Directgov cost taxpayers £21.4 million, or 11p per visitor, in 2010-11.