Government looks for IT champions to deliver more efficient Civil Service
THE Government is trawling the UK’s leading cities looking for innovative IT companies with which it can work on a major project to transform the delivery of public services.
A roadshow touring the major cities begins in Birmingham today, with the aim of engaging with suitable suppliers.
The project is in line with Whitehall digital strategies as part of the Civil Service Reform Plan. The aim is to revolutionise the Civil Service by develop its digital skills, getting it do things faster, be smaller and provide more services online.
The digital strategies set out how departments will redesign or create new online services with the support of the Government Digital Service.
The first wave of services to be totally redesigned to serve the user includes driving test bookings, tax returns, and state pension applications. The aim is to make these easier and quicker to use, as well as cheaper to run.
Should the strategy work then the Cabinet Office believes the Civil Service could save the taxpayer around £1.2bn by 2015.
A recent report by the National Audit Office confirmed that Government ICT reforms and spending controls saved the taxpayer £316m last year alone.
Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said: “The way that government does business is changing. The days of waste and inefficiency, when public sector IT was dominated by overlong, restrictive contracts with a supplier oligopoly, are on the way out.
“We are making it easier for companies of all sizes to win government business. We want to see agile, innovative suppliers working with government on shorter, bespoke contracts to create the digital systems that support 21st century public services.
“There are software and services companies out there that fit the new agile model for public sector IT but have never done business with us or could do more. The roadshow visiting Birmingham today is designed to tell these innovative suppliers about the opportunities that are opening up, and to explain how they can bid more effectively for them.”
He said the Government wanted suppliers which could stimulate the growth potential of the UK IT sector.
“Much has been already been done over the past two years to remove obstacles to business, but we know there’s more to do and we want to hear from suppliers about barriers that remain so we can get on to do something about them,” he added.
Today event takes place between 8-10am at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, National Exhibition Centre.
There is a similar event tonight at The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, starting at 6pm, followed tomorrow by a visit to the Radisson Blu Hotel, No. 1 The Light, Leeds, between 8-10am.
