The government is diving headfirst into the digital age, pushing for more digital tools and artificial intelligence to make public services run smoother. Their new digital strategy aims to transform how citizens interact with government services, boost productivity, and lay the groundwork for better data use. They’re also focused on enhancing skills and attracting top talent.
Imagine saving taxpayers around £45 billion while making it easier for everyone to access government services. That’s one of the big goals here. This strategy fits right into the government’s Plan for Change, designed to spur economic growth by speeding up the approval processes businesses need.
One exciting idea on the table is a government smartphone app that could hold your driver’s license details. This app might even serve as a form of national ID, according to The Times. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle is on a mission to revamp public sector tech, aiming to lower costs and improve how people experience public services. He believes this overhaul will allow public servants and healthcare workers to focus more on helping the public.
Kyle pointed out that the country’s foundational technology has been neglected under previous administrations, leading to inefficiencies and mounting costs for taxpayers. He emphasized that fixing this could unlock that £45 billion opportunity for the public sector, double the gap faced when they took office.
A report from Bain & Company, dropping soon, reveals that government departments are spending too much on IT contractors. They often rely on contractors for basic IT tasks, unable to match salaries of full-time staff. This approach costs £14.5 billion—three times what it would if civil servants handled those IT jobs.
Bain’s report also flags that a quarter of the IT systems in central government are outdated, racking up maintenance costs that are three to four times higher than keeping technology up to date. Many of these legacy systems are labeled “red-rated” for reliability and security. Last year alone, NHS England experienced 123 critical service outages, leading to missed appointments and leaving staff struggling with paper-based systems.
In light of these issues, the government is set to announce reforms this week, including expanding the Government Digital Service’s role. This team will look for IT vulnerabilities across the public sector to prevent hackers from crippling essential services. They’ll also offer support to help organizations with weak systems bolster their defenses against cyberattacks.