News: A new centre of digital government for the UK
Ben Terrett, CEO
On 21 January the UK Government launched a new digital centre for government and unveiled a plan to use technology and AI tools to improve public services. Ben Terrett, CEO, Public Digital responds:
“Today’s announcement shows a determination from the top of Government to harness the power of technology to improve people’s lives up and down the country.
The UK has previously been a world leader in digital government - and can be again. Being able to renew your passport online rather than queueing for hours at an office, for example, shows how high-quality digital services bring benefits to everyone.
This announcement is just the first step. The Government must now look beyond Whitehall and copy the best teams of the past 30 years – their talent and techniques, as well as the technology behind them. It must work with the civil service to implement radically new ways of working, governance structures, and funding mechanisms to make this a success.
The test-and-learn approach, endorsed by Pat McFadden last year, must be implemented to turn around the multi million-pound change programmes that are currently not delivering.
Digital transformation can and must deliver public services that unlock economic growth, enhance Britain's institutions, and reduce burdens on people and business. Done well, they can restore pride and productivity to the public realm.
This should be an investment in a more capable state rather than bonuses for Big IT consultants.”
Written by
Ben Terrett
CEO and Founder