Cost of developing emergency alerts system pegged at £25m
Minister reveals up more than £4m spent on testing, security and other support contracts
No backup for Boris? Ex-PM to hand over WhatsApp messages – minus missing year
Documents released by Cabinet Office reveal that 16 months of messages were lost after prime...
DfT declines review of undigitised DVLA processes for citizens with health conditions
MPs found that ‘inefficient’ manual processes contributed to a pandemic backlog of driving...
More Content
Government seeks ‘better outcomes’ by linking data on homelessness, crime and addiction
MoJ-led series of pilot programmes aim to better connect information to improve outcomes for those with complex needs
Scottish minister criticises UK government broadband rollout for leaving hardest-to-connect places to last
Finance secretary Kate Forbes claims that implementation in Scotland has begun with remote and rural areas
‘This lack of transparency could undermine trust’ – DWP scolded over failure to publish research data
Parliamentary committee writes to department urging greater openness
DWP signs potential £50m Atos deal for IT system to support personal independence payment assessments
Platform will go live with assessment providers next summer
Net zero: Government warned over data inconsistencies
Auditors cite need for better leadership as PAC chair reminds departments that ‘good data leads to good decisions’
Digital minister: ‘I’m one up from a Luddite – but I am grasping this enthusiastically’
PublicTechnology met with the recently appointed Heather Wheeler, who reveals that overcoming difficulties with tech has been ‘an absolute joy’ – although she still appears to have some challenges with unfortunate remarks
Immigration status: Home Office recruiting staff to expedite online checks for employers
Minister also claims that new services and tech will reduce demands on digital platform
Social value: public sector must demand more – and tech suppliers need to deliver
SMEs and other providers should embrace the new mandates for IT firms to demonstrate social value, according to Alex Jackson of dxw
NHS Covid-19 app digs into design and user experience in £200k research drive
UKHSA awards two contracts to specialist firms
Ofcom leader: ‘Tech firms must take women’s safety seriously’
Watchdog’s annual report finds that women face greater risks and more abuse online
Glasgow implements single online portal for parents across all city schools
Local authority continues implementation of its digital strategy
Service user complaints met with ‘fob-off and brick walls’, watchdog warns
Ombudsman claims that departments see feedback as a nuisance
‘Treated as suspects’ – ICO calls for end to excessive demands for personal data of rape victims
Information commissioner tells forces to immediately stop gathering info in a manner he claims is putting a major dent in conviction rates
MPs maintain scrutiny of Cabinet Office FoI hub
Parliamentary committee takes steps to try and ensure independence and rigour of upcoming review
EXCL: Wall of silence surrounds plan for nationwide collection of citizens’ internet records
Online notice reveals controversial trials are to be expanded into a national service – about which government, law enforcement, watchdogs and all the UK’s major ISPs declined to answer questions from PublicTechnology
ICO hits facial recognition firm with £7.5m fine and order to delete all UK data
Regulator finds that collection of online images was not fair, transparent or lawful
Scottish ministers failing to meet response deadline for correspondence
New permanent secretary claims he wants to improve service levels
Minister targets digitisation of all immigration documents by end of 2024
Immigration minister Kevin Foster reiterates ambition to eliminate paper processes
MPs offer Elon Musk opportunity to ‘address critiques in public’
Billionaire invited to appear before parliamentary committee
Government proposes ‘world-first’ new security regime for app stores
Consultation launched on code of practice for Apple, Google and others – although adherence would be voluntarily
Ancient IT reportedly stopped Sunak raising benefits to keep pace with inflation
Reports claim that chancellor was advised that payments of legacy benefits could only be increased once a year