British public services operate under the weight of obsolete technology, creating unnecessary barriers between citizens and essential support systems. Nearly half of all government services remain inaccessible online, forcing people to navigate time-consuming in-person processes and antiquated paper-based systems.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle’s forthcoming review exposes concerning technological inadequacies throughout the public sector. The assessment highlights critical inefficiencies that directly impact service delivery and waste valuable resources across healthcare, local authorities and central government departments.
Digital transformation challenges
Systemic inefficiencies plague service delivery as public sector workers battle outdated systems and paper-based processes. Death registrations still require in-person visits, while small businesses face archaic requirements such as placing local newspaper advertisements for commercial vehicle purchases. These unnecessary procedures create bottlenecks that impede both citizens and economic growth.
The fragmentation between departments compounds these challenges. Patients managing long-term health conditions often navigate over 40 different services to access entitled care and support. Limited information sharing between public bodies forces vulnerable individuals to repeatedly provide the same details, creating frustration and delays.
Infrastructure modernisation imperative
Central government departments operate with concerning technological deficits. One-quarter of digital systems require urgent updates, while some departments manage upwards of 500 paper-based services. These obsolete systems generate excessive maintenance costs, typically three to four times higher than modernised alternatives.
NHS England reported 123 critical service outages last year, disrupting appointments and forcing staff to revert to manual systems. The review identifies numerous “red-rated” systems presenting reliability and security risks across public services.
Strategic solutions and innovations
The Technology Secretary plans comprehensive reforms incorporating artificial intelligence and digital tools to modernise public sector operations. The expanded Government Digital Service will implement new security measures, identifying vulnerabilities before cyber attacks can compromise essential services.
Two groundbreaking AI tools demonstrate the government’s commitment to technological advancement. ‘Connect’ addresses renewable energy grid connection delays, while ‘Scout’ streamlines infrastructure project management by analysing thousands of documents to prevent costly delays.
Workforce and resource allocation
Current policies have led departments to rely heavily on contractors and consultants for basic technological tasks. These external resources cost approximately triple the expense of permanent staff, resulting in annual expenditure of £14.5 billion in taxpayer money.
The review advocates for strategic workforce planning, addressing salary constraints and headcount restrictions that prevent departments from building internal technical expertise. This reallocation of resources aims to create sustainable, cost-effective solutions for long-term technological advancement.
Energy sector transformation
The renewable energy sector faces significant connection delays, with the grid queue expanding tenfold over five years. Current capacity requests exceed projected 2050 requirements by four times, while speculative projects create additional barriers for viable developments.
The innovative ‘Connect’ tool leverages AI to optimise grid capacity allocation, potentially reducing connection waiting times from ten years to more manageable timeframes. This advancement supports the government’s clean power objectives while addressing energy security concerns.
Infrastructure project efficiency
The ‘Scout’ AI tool revolutionises infrastructure project management by automating document analysis. This technology reduces review times from hours to five minutes while maintaining Infrastructure and Projects Authority standards. The system enables early problem detection across major developments, from motorway construction to hospital builds.
These technological innovations align with Matt Clifford’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, demonstrating practical applications of artificial intelligence within government operations. The initiatives support broader economic growth objectives while modernising essential public services.