Civil service cuts: DfT brings in £100k consultancy to help identify ‘options for digitisation’
Two-week ‘headcount efficiency review’ engagement aims to find possible cutbacks that could be achieved through use of technology
Railways: Digital signalling to be introduced from Grantham to London in £1bn rollout
Government unveils plan to ‘replace Victorian infrastructure’ across routes in counties to the immediate north of the capital
GDS offers £100k for strategy chief
Cabinet Office tech agency seeks leader to spearhead implementation of three-year plan
‘Remote monitoring and virtual wards’ – Javid unveils NHS tech transformation plan to clear Covid backlogs
Health secretary claims that use of NHS app is ‘at the heart of’ strategy to reform health service
Government urged to commit to devolution to drive innovation and levelling-up
Think tank report identifies benefits of city mayors, but finds many local officials are frustrated with current interactions with Whitehall
NHS Covid app update expands symptom checklist and softens guidance for English users
Latest version of software removes suggestion users may have coronavirus and countdown clock – except for Welsh users, who are still told to isolated and get tested
‘Drones are of great interest to the Army – as both a threat and an opportunity’
Minister claims that military is keeping tabs on potential battlefield uses of unmanned aerial technologies
Highways agency adds ex-Facebook bigwig to boardroom line-up
Social network’s former regional leader Diego Oliva appointed to non-executive post
Government seeks ‘better outcomes’ by linking data on homelessness, crime and addiction
MoJ-led series of pilot programmes aim to better connect information to improve outcomes for those with complex needs
Covid inquiry: Government lawyers sign £23m deals for document disclosure
Long-term contracts cover data from a range of specified departments
Digital minister: ‘I’m one up from a Luddite – but I am grasping this enthusiastically’
PublicTechnology met with the recently appointed Heather Wheeler, who reveals that overcoming difficulties with tech has been ‘an absolute joy’ – although she still appears to have some challenges with unfortunate remarks
Great expectations: Government unveils new digital and data strategy
A new three-year plan sets out ambitious objectives for departments’ use of tech, including a commitment to improve scores of the biggest citizen services. PublicTechnology gets the lowdown from civil service chief operating officer Alex Chisholm.
Technology vs ideology: what will define the future of government work?
A recent PublicTechology webinar discussion saw an expert panel examine the major issues that will shape how civil servants work for years to come
EXCL: Wall of silence surrounds plan for nationwide collection of citizens’ internet records
Online notice reveals controversial trials are to be expanded into a national service – about which government, law enforcement, watchdogs and all the UK’s major ISPs declined to answer questions from PublicTechnology
Supercharged: Inside the ONS plan to become a data-science 'powerhouse'
Five years after being established, the Data Science Campus of the ONS wants to do more to help address government's biggest policy issues – while still retaining its innovative edge. PublicTechnology finds out more.
‘Typical hostile environment treatment’ – Home Office leaves thousands of Turkish nationals waiting more than a year for visa decisions
Applicants tell PublicTechnology that they have been provided with little information on the processing delays that mean they cannot leave the UK – even for births or funerals – and struggle to prove their right to live and work in this country
Is the UK ready for the future of compute?
The government’s upcoming review should consider ways to increase the country’s computing capacity, believes Laura Foster of techUK
Social value: public sector must demand more – and tech suppliers need to deliver
SMEs and other providers should embrace the new mandates for IT firms to demonstrate social value, according to Alex Jackson of dxw
The time is now for private network adoption
New forms of infrastructure can help improve public services, according to Sophie James of techUK
Data must be central to improving the criminal justice system
Better use of information is crucial to improving people’s experiences with justice agencies and reducing recidivism, according to Georgie Henley of techUK
Government’s battle for the future of work
Despite the best efforts of some ministers, the profound changes brought about by the pandemic still offer a singular opportunity to radically rethink how the civil service operates. Dods Research asked more than 200 officials for their thoughts.
IWD: The tech sector needs equity, not just equality
The industry needs to focus on building equitable products and workplaces rooted in inclusivity and belonging this International Women’s Day, according to Nimmi Patel from techUK