Data and tech to drive Govt amid plans for 35 new bills

As the new Labour Government puts the finishing touches to its first King’s Speech, it has already committed to transforming public services and fuelling economic growth through data, science and technology.

While there is still no word whether a revamped Data Protection & Digital Information Bill will be included in the 35 new bills due to be announced at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, the Government has revealed the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) will expand in both scope and size, bringing in experts in data, digital and artificial intelligence.

Secretary of State Peter Kyle says the shake-up will be the defining mission of a revamped department as he takes the first steps towards building a modern digital government.

Drawing on experts from the Government Digital Service, the Central Digital & Data Office and the Incubator for AI (i.AI), the move will unite efforts in the digital transformation of public services under one department.

Designed to drive the digital changes needed to overhaul the British public’s experience of interacting with the Government, the ultimate aim is to make it 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.

The Government says the strategy 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 Peter Kyle 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 Kyle says he 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.

Ahead of Wednesday, the Government has said it will use its mandate for change to put economic growth at the heart of its legislative agenda.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our work is urgent. There is no time to waste. We are hitting the ground running by bringing forward the laws we will need to rebuild our country for the long-term – and our ambitious, fully costed agenda is the downpayment on that change.

“From energy, to planning, to unbreakable fiscal rules, my government is serious about delivering the stability that is going to turbo charge growth that will create wealth in every corner of the UK.

“The task of national renewal will not be easy, and this is just the down payment on our plans for the next five years, but the legislation set out at the King’s Speech will build on the momentum of our first days in office and make a difference to the lives of working people.”

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