The Government has signed up leading tech industry figures – including Lastminute.com co-Martha Lane Fox – to shape its new ‘digital centre’ to boost how technology is used to repair public services and drive economic growth.
The group, co-chaired by Lane Fox and Central Digital & Data Office chair Paul Willmott, will help the Government plan changes to how technology is used across public services in a new bid to cut backlogs, improve service outcomes and make government services more accessible.
Ministers claim “millions of people” will enjoy shorter waiting lists and better public services as a result.
The move follows three Cabinet Office and No.10 units joining the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology to unite efforts in the digital transformation of public services under one department.
Together, the teams currently build and manage Gov.uk, the primary platform for accessing government services and information, lead a network of over 28,000 technology professionals across the public sector, and develop AI tools for a range of uses across Whitehall and public services.
Harnessing the power of technology will be crucial to support the Government in achieving its mission of making public services work for working people, grow the economy, and make everyone across the country better off.
AI and digital government minister Feryal Clark said: “Poor technology slows down public services too often, when new tools should be cutting waiting lists and taking the burden from citizens and the taxpayer. That is why DSIT has become the centre for digital government.
“We will be bold in our plans with this new responsibility, and the external expertise we are bringing in to advise us will help deliver on our shared ambitions to improve public services and drive sustainable growth that works for everyone.
The panel also includes Darktrace co-founder Poppy Gustafsson; Connected by Data founder and executive director Jeni Tennison; Stemettes CEO social Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon; University of Manchester professor of innovation Lou Cordwell; and technology advisor Lord Richard Allan.
Martha Lane Fox said: “The UK has an opportunity to deliver modern, reliable public services that benefit citizens while also helping to grow the economy. I am excited to help.”
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