PublicTechnology.net

Camden councillor Theo Blackwell’s research finds most councillors are positive about technology but warns that delivery will lag behind without a clear framework for transformation

House of Lords told small-scale trial using blockchain technology to help benefits claimants manage spending had yielded ‘encouraging results’

Whitehall urgently needs to improve the way it uses existing evidence in policymaking and make better use of digital records to keep track of what is already known, so civil servants do not reinvent the wheel, a report has said.

The Government Digital Service is planning to review around 30% of departments' digital projects based on "continuous interactions" with tech teams rather than set spending limits.

As the New Year approaches, PublicTechnology takes a look at what we might expect in the world of digital government in 2017. 

A lack of interoperability between social care organisations’ IT systems and burdensome data entry processes are holding back technology adoption by social workers, a study has found.

Police forces are failing to put IT at the centre of their work, set data-sharing plans or ensure staff have good digital skills, a review has said.

The UK's spending watchdog has said that the government’s decision to postpone complex digital reforms in creating the new state pension allowed it to meet its implementation deadline - but that operational savings have been slashed.

The new government is focused on Brexit, and Theresa May and Philip Hammond have not yet voiced their support for making government digital – but Daniel Thornton, co-author of the Institute for Government's in-depth report on digital transformation, says the potential for savings is huge.

The government needs to offer much more clarity on how it plans to up departmental data sharing in its Digital Economy Bill, MPs have been told.

Digital technology offer charities a wealth of options. But Tris Lumley of think-tank New Philanthropy Capital says that they should heed advice from the Government Digital Service and take user-centric approach to transformation.

Surrey and Borders Partners NHS Trust has launched a £5m trial of Internet of Things technologies to improve healthcare for people with dementia.

The government has urged organisations to offer their opinions on the wide-ranging digital tax reforms proposed last month, the financial secretary has said.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that it is bringing all technology and digital roles into its digital team.

Fear of being penalised for failings with local service redesigns is stopping councils from fully sharing their experiences with peer organisations, according to a new study by the Institute for Government.

The Department for Work and Pensions’ Kevin Cunnington is replacing Stephen Foreshew-Cain at the helm of the Government Digital Service, the Cabinet Office has announced, amid reports of a departmental push-back against the central team.

The replacement of HMRC's £10-billion Aspire IT contract needs “firm and consistent leadership”, the Public Accounts Committee has said.

A training programme to help vulnerable people how to use the internet to access healthcare services has saved the NHS as much as £6 million in avoided GP and A&E visits in a year, according to a report published by the Tinder Foundation.

HMRC needs to stay committed to meeting its goals as it faces one of its most challenging years yet in its efforts to become one of the world’s most digitally-advanced tax administrations, the National Audit Office has said.

A Whitehall trial of the use of Blockchain technology for the payment and spending of benefits has raised concerns about data privacy and government control.

MPs have said that the plan to allow local authorities to retain 100% of business rates while cutting their central government grants could lead to an inability to get resources to councils in need.