Workers at GCHQ in Gloucestershire will soon be able to use a new networking website dubbed the Facebook of the Civil Service.

The Government has spent £500,000 developing the Civil Pages system for use by its workers, which it says will make their jobs easier.

Last week staff at GCHQ were warned about their use of regular social networking sites such as Facebook.

It followed new MI6 chief Sir John Sawers being embarrassed by photographs of him in swimwear being posted on the internet by his wife.

Referring to the issue, Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell said the new system was 'the Facebook of the Civil Service... without the man in the Speedos'.

Launching Civil Pages last week, Andrew Stott, the Government's digital engagement director, said that although similar systems existed – including the Government Secure Intranet – they all had limitations.

He said: "It is a difficult problem for Government, how do you find the right person to talk to, who else is working on what you are working on, who can help?"

According to Mr Stott, the new service is 'a rich directory of personal and job profiles'.

He said civil servants find it harder to deal with people in the private sector than with other Government departments.

Mr Stott claimed Civil Pages would save money by encouraging cooperation and reducing duplication.

But he conceded that although the service was free to use now, future funding would have to be found.

A spokesman for GCHQ said: "GCHQ staff will be able to use the new Civil Pages, which will help find the right person with the right information at the right time across the civil service.

"We do advise our staff about keeping a low profile and this includes the risk of using social networking sites."

The Conservatives have criticised the project as a waste of money at a time of mass unemployment.

Party chairman Eric Pickles said: "We have 2.26million unemployed people crying out for Government help and Labour are squandering taxpayers' money on Facebook.

"What people want is for the Civil Service to get on with their jobs and give the taxpayer value for money.

"What they don't want is people idly wasting their time indulging in meaningless gossip."

A Cabinet Office spokesman said the project had a budget of up to £1 million, though only half that amount had been spent so far.

The spokesman said: "Civil Pages is based on a hugely successful model used by IBM which has saved about £50 million a year.

"These websites save time and money by helping departments work collaboratively, share knowledge and best practice, and avoid duplication of work."