Inside DWP’s digital coronavirus response – APIs, reuse and micro-services
In the face of huge demand for its services, the DWP was able to call on a library of reusable tools, the department’s integration lead Jacqui Leggetter tells PublicTechnology
NHS collates data from symptom-tracker apps
NHSX works with jHub to gather and analyse information collected by third-party software
‘We need your data’ – how the ONS is mobilising the power of information in the fight against coronavirus
As the UK enters its ninth week of lockdown, interim deputy national statistician Frankie Kay...
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IfG: Government needs to urgently redesign residency application process as Brexit looms
Think tank warns that Home Office systems are a “long way from a fully digital service” that is needed to deal with the surge of permanent residency applications from EU nationals as the UK leaves the union
Defra publishes nine principles for 'better data that's better used'
Principles call for data that is open, well-maintained, easy to find and simple to use
GDS publishes framework to signpost digital, data and technology career paths
Taxonomy sets out career paths and capabilities for 37 roles
Scottish digital strategy set out plans for assurance, training and common platforms
The Scottish government will implement a “tough” assurance process for digital projects, mandate the use of common technologies and offer training to make sure civil servants “get digital”.
Public sector IT contractors: Focus on value not cost as IR35 hits
At the end of March, the government is facing a brain-drain as contractors leave the public sector rather than be caught out by stricter tax rules. But Eduserv’s Max Elliott-Massouras says the focus should be on the value of contractors – not their cost.
GOV.UK education taxonomy enters beta as work begins on environment content
The Government Digital Service’s GOV.UK taxonomy has entered beta for education content, with plans to develop branches for environment and transport content next.
ICO: Councils need to sharpen up on data protection ahead of GDPR
Survey shows lack of preparedness as data protection watchdog slaps £60,000 fine on Norfolk County Council
Home Office seeks deputy director for ESN mobile communications programme
The Home Office is seeking a “robust and charismatic” deputy director for Emergency Services Network Mobilisation.
Open up Industrial Strategy statistics, government told
MPs have urged the government to take a “concrete step” to greater transparency by creating a searchable database of meetings with businesses that extends to include senior civil servants.
Councils could save £500m a year through common platform components, says GDS
Individual councils could save up to £80m on IT spend alone over the next decade by adopting common platforms like GOV.UK Verify, according to government estimates.
GOV.UK Notify goes live for central government, with local government to launch this year
The Government Digital Service’s notification service has gone live across all central government departments, with local government – and letters – next on the team’s list.
Government announces review of AI as Digital Strategy set to boost robotics technologies
The government’s long-awaited Digital Strategy is expected to include £17m for artificial intelligence, a review of AI technologies and support for smart devices, cyber security and autonomous vehicles.
Civil service to pilot online recruitment tool to cut reliance on ‘outdated’ technology
The government chief people officer Rupert McNeil has said that the civil service is using recruitment technology that is “40 or 50 years out of date” as the civil service announces plans to trial a cloud-based recruitment platform in efforts to tackle bias.
Government told to shout about big-data success stories
The government could change the public’s perception of big data projects by focusing on improving its marketing as well as increasing transparency, a conference has been told.
Coding in the open attracts digital talent, says MoJ
The Ministry of Justice’s commitment to code in the open by default has helped the department “hire great people”, the department’s head of technology has said.
CTS director Iain Patterson says service offers ‘one voice’ to help department exit IT contracts
The government’s Common Technology Services team is pitching itself as a central support and advice service for departments exiting both large and small IT contracts.
HMRC says it is 'committed' to Verify for individuals
HMRC has said that it is "committed to Verify as the single identification service for individuals" after it emerged that the department is developing a separate identity assurance programme to the government's flagship GOV.UK Verify platform.
HMRC to develop separate identity assurance service to replace Government Gateway
HMRC has said that it will develop its identity assurance solution to replace Government Gateway when it ends in March 2018 – rather than using the government’s flagship GOV.UK Verify.
Senior buy-in and real incentives 'urgently needed' to make transformation strategy a success
The government's transformation strategy needs buy-in from the political top brass to drive the radical culture change that underpins the plan, writes PublicTechnology editor Rebecca Hill.
Data privacy and lack of skills preventing public sector from making the most of digital, survey says
Senior managers in the public sector have said that data privacy, security and increasing regulations are all barriers to their organisations benefitting from mobile and digital technologies, according to a survey.
GDS creates single site for service design resources
The Government Digital Service has launched a service toolkit that aims to be a one stop shop for service design resources.