PublicTechnology.net

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.

The UK has been ranked first in the provision of digital public services in Europe, according to a Telefonica report measuring the world’s digital economy.

Local authorities’ use of digital technologies in adult social care is to be assessed as part of an inquiry by MPs.

Crowdfunding projects offer local authorities the chance to gather data on their communities and access low-cost digital platforms, according to innovation agency Nesta.

UK local authorities have markedly improved their websites’ accessibility for those with disabilities in the past year, but overall user experience has fallen slightly, a survey has found.

Most council leaders are confident in their digital approach, but less than a third of the public agree, according to a PwC survey.