Action is being taken against rogue websites passing themselves off as official government services, thanks in part to a parliamentary motion tabled by a Bradford MP.

George Galloway (Respect, Bradford West) submitted a series of questions to Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, asking him to contact web server Google to remove all unofficial websites that “misled” consumers into paying premiums for parking charges, passports and DVLA services.

Mr Maude responded to Mr Galloway, stating that he and ministerial colleagues had met with Google to discuss enforcement against the companies behind these sites, with some websites already removed.

"This was a scandal which, hopefully, is coming to an end”, said Mr Galloway. “These sites were preying on the trust and gullibility of consumers and I am a pleased to have played a part in bringing them down."