The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee recently sat down with tech experts to discuss the government’s vision for the new Government Digital Service (GDS)—essentially, the digital backbone of the government.
They dove into the potential impact of digitalizing public services. Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted a chance for the government to save up to £45 billion, but only if these digital services are executed properly. He committed to deploying teams across government departments to ensure effective use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI). This move aligns with the government’s digital strategy unveiled in January 2025, which highlights fast tech delivery, training for civil servants, and a rigorous focus on AI.
Laura Gilbert, the head of AI for the government, expressed frustration during her testimony. She pointed out that many individuals in senior digital roles may not truly understand technology, saying, “I wouldn’t hire them.” She criticized the civil service’s hiring process, noting it doesn’t attract the right talent for tech-centric roles. Her team conducts a rigorous four-hour coding test for potential AI engineers, contrasting it with the civil service’s outdated behavioral interviews that don’t suit technical positions.
She raised concerns about the ambition that by 2030, one in ten civil servants will hold a digital role. “Will they really have the skills we need? Would Google hire them?” she asked.
The committee also examined the £45 billion savings figure derived from a Bain & Company report. Gilbert acknowledged the methodology as sound but emphasized that it’s still speculative. She explained that while some easy wins might emerge from new projects, much of the savings will hinge on long-term initiatives that require substantial resources.
Richard Pope, a former civil servant turned consultant, chimed in, stating that while digitizing an old service should naturally lead to savings, projects motivated purely by saving money often underperform for the public. He cautioned that the government might have overemphasized AI as the catch-all solution.
Both experts shared concerns about the government’s direction regarding data exchange. Pope noted that GDS has launched five data exchange initiatives in recent years, but the outcomes have been underwhelming. Gilbert echoed this sentiment, arguing that clarity is needed on the purpose of data-sharing efforts and their anticipated impact.
Implementation details are crucial. Pope called for the new GDS to prove it can influence systems and ensure quality services for both civil servants and the public, especially when dealing with outdated tech. “The government relies on a lot of unsupported technology to function, and that’s not acceptable. We need to fix that while providing value to citizens,” he stated.
While the focus on cybersecurity and legacy systems is essential, Pope urged a broader approach to create a digital public infrastructure that spans across government.
The path ahead might be fraught with challenges, as GDS has historically prioritized services for citizens while neglecting the needs of businesses and the economy. Gilbert highlighted the need for tangible outcomes that can be tracked without relying solely on documentation.
