New Commission report proposes "Whitehall in the cloud" to replace old fashioned infrastructure
In a plan put forward by the Commission for Smart Government (CSG), government IT systems would move onto the cloud, with accelerated use of digital ID, to bring Whitehall into line with modern private sector organisations.
The proposals have been submitted to the Cabinet Office and Number 10, who have acknowledged the need to fundamentally overhaul the government’s digital architecture.
Amongst over 60 detailed recommendations, The Commission proposes that the UK adopt the US model of a powerful government Chief Digital Officer to drive through the changes – as well as the establishment of a National Digital Council, on a par with the National Security Council, in recognition of the critical significance of digital issues in the modern world
At the core of today’s report, the CSG argues that there is no time to lose in re-establishing the UK’s former position as a world leader in digital government. As the UK prepares for the post-Brexit, post-Covid-19 world, implementing these recommendations will be vital if the Government is to address the twin challenges of improving public services, and improving the UK’s standing in a competitive world where countries like China and Russia use digital innovation to gain comparative advantage
The CSG’s wide-ranging and comprehensive proposals paint a picture of a modern digital-first state, able to operate more effectively and efficiently, in line with modern private sector organisations.
In order to realise this vision, the CSG sets out a plan to accelerate adoption of cloud architecture and use of digital ID, to deliver rapid transformation of public services. This would offer the same efficiency, flexibility, and user-centered experience that citizens now enjoy from the likes of Deliveroo, Amazon or Ocado. Given the deteriorating fiscal position in the wake of the pandemic, the Commission argues that digital transformation is essential if the public purse is to have any hope of affording improved public services.
The proposals would replace centralized control over public programmes with a new digital system that would enable agencies such as the NHS, and private companies, plus social enterprises or charities to ‘plug-in’ to government networks to offer services to citizens or businesses, provided they met standards set centrally. This would disrupt the dominance of large outsourcing companies and enable a far greater number of fast-innovating companies to offer services more closely focused on users’ needs – mirroring the revolution in consumer services we’ve seen in the last decade.
New digital services would be built on a common cloud infrastructure, with integrated data systems deploying registries, open standards, shared components and open APIs.
This approach would build a new kind of cloud-based government from the ground up, focused on the service needs of citizens, communities and businesses. It draws from the best examples of digital government innovation worldwide, and if implemented, would put the UK’s digital capability at the forefront of G7 countries once more.
In order to elevate the whole arena of digital to the appropriate level, The CSG also urges the Government to appoint a powerful Chief Digital Officer (GCDO), with a strong mandate to drive through the transformation project. On top of that it proposes a new National Digital Council – on a par with the National Security Council –as well as the creation of an Office of Digital Effectiveness similar to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Daniel Korski, lead author of the report and former adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron, said “From working at the heart of government I know how far we have fallen behind and how urgent reform is; in the post-Covid19 world, we need to offer better public services and that requires a digitally-native mindset and infrastructure”
Jacky Wright, former CIO of HMRC and now CDO of Microsoft and a Commissioner, said: “Everyone has moved to the cloud and towards more agile, digitally-first ways of working; the government needs to follow suit rather than fall behind. Our recommendations will help the Government get there, fast.”
Husayn Kassai, founder of fast-growing startup Onfido and a Commissioner, “Technology startups are innovating fast because they all work in the cloud and have a range of enabling tools in place. The Government needs to learn from them and put the same sort of enabling systems in place - digital ID, smarter procurement and empowered digital leadership.”