Francis Maude, former Cabinet Office Minister, has criticised the UK government’s digital service (GDS), stating that it is being marginalised and that the ‘government as a platform’ concept is dead. Maude, who launched the GDS in 2011, said the service is no longer the force it was and is failing to deliver on its promise of digital transformation. He suggested that the GDS has lost its way due to a lack of political support and leadership, and has become a standards organisation rather than a delivery one.
Maude also criticised the government’s failure to utilise the potential of data, stating that it is not making the most of the information it holds. He called for a radical transformation in how the government uses data, including sharing it across departments to improve services and efficiency. He also suggested that the government should be more transparent with its data and use it to drive innovation.
The former minister also highlighted the need for the government to upskill its workforce and invest in digital skills. He suggested that the government is failing to attract and retain the right talent, which is impacting the delivery of digital services. He called for a change in culture and more investment in training to address this issue.
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