David Cameron hails Government Digital Service as 'unsung triumph'

Prime minister David Cameron will hail the Government Digital Service (GDS) as “one of the great unsung triumphs of the last parliament” in a speech today (Friday 11 September 2015).

Cameron is due to deliver a keynote speech, ahead of the spending review. He will argue the need for a progressive reform to streamline services, including joining up IT and back-office functions of the police, fire and ambulance services.

He will also hail the Government Digital Service (GDS) as a triumph that “makes a difference” – indicating a vote of confidence in the programme, which has been clouded by speculation over its future since the departure of its chief, Mike Bracken, along with several other high-level staff members.

Since Bracken's unexpected departure, rumours have been circulating over cuts to GDS budgets and claims that his strategy for "government as a platform" (GaaP) had been rejected.

However, in an interview with Computer Weekly last month, Bracken said GaaP is still on track and the business case will be considered as part of the spending review.

An internal audit report revealed in August 2015 that the government has saved £18.6bn in the past year, with at least £1.7bn coming from reform led by the Cabinet Office and the GDS. The prime minister will argue that the government has to look at the way businesses are adapting to change, using technology to deliver services.

“Across the spectrum, there are opportunities for us to make a difference – not just to people’s pockets but to people’s lives. For example, I believe the creation of the Government Digital Service is one of the great unsung triumphs of the last Parliament,” Cameron will say.

“A whole series of things that used to involve complicated paperwork can now be done online – from registering to vote to paying your taxes.

“Part of the issue is our mentality. When a business uses technology to deliver more for less, it’s regarded as a good thing. But when government does it, it’s too often just badged as cuts.”