Transforming public services and fuelling economic growth through
science and technology will be the defining mission of a revamped
department under the Secretary of State , as he takes the first steps
towards building a modern digital government.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will
expand in both scope and size bringing experts in data, digital
and AI from the Government Digital Service (GDS) the Central
Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and the Incubator for AI (iAI) to
unite efforts in the digital transformation of public services
under one department.
This move will drive forward the digital changes needed to
overhaul the British public's experience of interacting with the
Government, so it becomes personalised, convenient, and
timesaving – for example, by providing people with just one way
to login and prove who they are so they can quickly access the
government services they need. It will also help remove
roadblocks to sharing data across the public sector.
This will form part of wider efforts to launch DSIT as the
digital centre of government, working closely with the Cabinet
Office and the Treasury, to maximise the potential of digital,
data and technology to deliver for the British public.
DSIT will become the partner and standard bearer for government
departments as it supports them to use technology across areas
like energy, health, policing, and education. It will help to
upskill civil servants so they are better at using digital and AI
in their frontline work, as well as ensure the Government has the
right infrastructure and regulation to become more digital.
Secretary of State said:
“Britain will not fully benefit from the social and economic
potential of science and technology without government leading by
example. So, DSIT is to become the centre for digital expertise
and delivery in government, improving how the Government and
public services interact with citizens.
“We will act as a leader and partner across government, with
industry and the research communities, to boost Britain's
economic performance and power up our public services to improve
the lives and life chances of people through the application of
science and technology.”
In addition to driving forward a modern digital government, the
Secretary of State will lead DSIT to accelerate innovation,
investment and productivity through world-class science and
research across the economy, as well as ensure technologies are
safely developed and deployed across the country, with the
benefits more widely shared.
