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<p>The UK is recognised internationally as a world leader in digital government. The
Government Digital Service (GDS) was set up in 2011 with the purpose of digitally
transforming government and its services. It leads government’s Digital, Data and
Technology (DDaT) function, helping departments build and run services that are digital
by default and focused on the needs of citizens.</p><p>Departments have built their
digital professionalism and capability and there are now approximately 800 digital
services, including applying online for a UK passport, applying for your full or provisional
driving licence, checking your state pension, and the voter registration digital service.
As an example, over 90% of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Association’s (DVLA) transactions
(over 1 billion in 2017/18) are now completed online. Government continues to update
current and create new digital services to benefit citizens in their interactions
with government.</p><p>GDS this month published the Government Technology Innovation
Strategy which looks at creating the right foundations to use emerging technologies
in government. This will help digitally transform government even more by using innovative
technology solutions to make government more efficient and save taxpayers’ money.
Alongside this, ‘A guide to using artificial intelligence in the public sector’ was
published following a review of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government by GDS
and the Office for Artificial Intelligence (OAI).</p><p>The £20m, 3-year GovTech Catalyst
Programme has supported central and local government, devolved administrations, and
public sector bodies to find innovative solutions to operational service and policy
delivery challenges. It provides public sector organisations a safe space to experiment
with innovative technologies by providing them with funding, purely for research and
development. The Catalyst also encourages the sharing of digital learning and resources,
which allows public sector organisations to identify other groups across the UK working
on similar problems. The Programme helps government deliver on a key principle of
the UK’s Digital Strategy, to improve the digital business sector in the UK, by providing
tech companies of all sizes opportunities with the public sector.</p><p>Over 10,000
civil servants have also now been trained by the GDS Academy; new standards have made
services across government consistent, accessible and intuitive; and departments have
delivered digital services to make essential transactions with citizens easier and
more efficient.</p>
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