Can government destroy its legacy?
As much as half of government’s near-£5bn annual spend on IT is dedicated to the maintenance of ageing or unsupported tech. A range of digital leaders tell Sam Trendall about the issues they face with legacy, and how they can be addressed.
Consumer regulator seeks £100k leader for algorithm work
CMA created team last year to better understand and oversee the use of automated technologies in business
Scottish Government launches app to find free period products
PickupMyPeriod program allows users to find one of 700 locations where free products can be collected
‘Taking more control of IT strategy’ – HMRC reveals plan to close in-house tech firm RCDTS
Staff will either become civil servants or move over to commercial providers
Cabinet Office head of news to oversee anti-misinformation unit
Post as departmental media relations leader comes with salary of up to £118k
Home Office to spearhead anti-encryption public comms campaign
Report claims efforts led by advertising firm will aim to stoke concern among parents and could feature public stunts designed to alarm passers-by
Military police upgrades open-source intelligence platform for digital investigations
Deal signed with specialist software firm reflects huge growth in digital offences
No.10 parties: ICO warns officials deleting messages is a criminal offence
Data watchdog issues warning in light of reports that a digital clean-up had been encouraged
NHS Covid app: Contact alerts hit new high in run-up to Christmas
The number of exposure notifications exceeded the levels of the summer ‘pingdemic’, figures show
Schools minister pledges ‘sustainable strategy’ for long-term remote learning
Robin Walker claims that digital tools present both challenges and opportunities
Year in review: How technology defined 2021’s biggest stories
Digital and data once again had a starring role in supporting – and, occasionally, hampering – government’s work this year. PublicTechnology looks back at the most significant events.
Why are many more PCR tests coming back void?
The rate of inconclusive results tripled between summer and autumn, while some patients have reported receiving notice of void results that were then rescinded. PublicTechnology investigates.
How DWP hired 13,500 new work coaches – without meeting a single one
Faced with a Herculean hiring drive as coronavirus restrictions took hold, the department could not recruit candidates in the usual ways. PublicTechnology finds out it what did instead.
Borders and benefits – which government tech initiatives got a Budget boost?
A rundown of the departments and programmes that received support for digital ambitions
The business case for IT upgrades and a surfeit of sign-ins – five things we learned about the future of digital government
At techUK’s recent annual public sector tech conference, government’s digital leaders discussed their plans for the months ahead and the challenges they currently face. PublicTechnology listened in.
Cabinet reshuffle: What does it mean for digital government?
Julia Lopez, the minister responsible for GDS and CDDO, has moved departments – but the digital divisions may now receive more attention from the top of the Cabinet Office
Are your Christmas presents spying on you?
With many around the country receiving technological gifts, experts from government anti-espionage unit UK NACE explain why smartphones are the ‘perfect eavesdropping devices’
The digital age requires cultural sensitivity
Even when sat in their living room, government officials working with international partners need to be cognisant and respectful of other cultures, according to experts Matt Minshall and Mark Roberts
‘Cutting edge’ or a ‘security nightmare’? Government anti-espionage unit on the tech behind Bond gadgets
As No Time To Die smashes box-office records, technical experts from the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping tell us whether 007’s favourite spy toys are rooted in reality
App-based freedoms and the relentless battle for cybersecurity
As our movements increasingly depend on using our smartphones to demonstrate status, we need to ensure technology is secure, according to Dr Sarah Morris, of Cranfield University.
The stigma needs to be removed from cyberattacks
The secrecy and shame associated with cyber incidents needs to be rethought, believes PublicTechnology editor Sam Trendall
How can the government innovation strategy position the UK for success?
The upcoming government plan should rethink the UK’s R&D system and use public procurement to support innovative companies, according to Neil Ross of techUK