Audio: Digital Centre of Government - Service Transformation

Interview with Feryal Clark, Minister for AI and Digital Government

Mid-January 2025 the new 'Digital Centre of Government' at the heart of Department for Innovation, Science and Technology was unveiled - and promptly named the Government Digital Service. So an old, familiar, name but widened focus and impetus, bringing in all the digital, data and tech specialist units such as the Central Digital & Data Office, the Geospatial Commission and the Incubator for AI. UKAuthority was particularly interested in the renewed goal of joining up services around citizen's needs rather than departmental silos.

So I invited Feryal Clark to to tell us more:

• There have been many initiatives over the years to stop the frustration of non-joined up services – what is different now: New Data Bill? Advances in technology?

• New Service Teams will focus on joining up key systems across new priority services – what is the drive behind this? Where are they focusing first?

• Which of the raft of initiatives will have most impact on citizens' lives? Mandating APIs? New data legislation? Use of AI? GOV.UK Wallet?