IT for government and public sector
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Opinion
15 Apr 2024
AI tapped for citizen outreach as India goes to the polls
Political parties in this year’s high-stakes elections are leveraging AI for the first time, but measures to curtail misuse must continue to evolve with the rapid developments of the technology Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2023
AWS debuts Dedicated Local Zones with Singapore government as first customer
The new offering will be fully managed by AWS, built for exclusive use by a customer or community, and placed in a customer-specified location or datacentre Continue Reading
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News
01 Sep 2020
UK government unveils next steps in digital identity plans
Long-awaited response to July 2019 consultation highlights private sector demands for digital identity support from government Continue Reading
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News
01 Sep 2020
Norway’s corporates want government to support ‘herd immunity’ to cyber attack
Leading business organisations in Norway call on government to play a more active role in improving and coordinating the country’s cyber defences Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2020
University of Staffordshire recruits robots to get more out of its people
University staff were bogged down with administrative work, but will now have time to be creative Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2020
Office for National Statistics defines better cross-government data linkage
ONS review of data-linking practices across government is consistent with Cummings and Johnson drive to put data in command of government Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2020
New Zealand activates security services as DDoS outage enters fourth day
New Zealand government calls in its national cyber security agencies to help investigate a continuing cyber attack on the country’s financial systems Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2020
Interview: Frankie Kay, interim director general for data capability, ONS
The Office for National Statistics’ interim director general for data capability talks about how data plays an important role in the battle against Covid-19 and how the pandemic has unearthed new ways of collaborating Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2020
Benefit fraud: Underground trade in stolen identities revealed
A roaring underground trade in stolen identities is undermining the Universal Credit system and could potentially defraud it out of millions of pounds Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2020
Tech and telecoms advisory group set up to help trade negotiations
Department of International Trade launches new Trade Advisory Groups to guide trade negotiations with other countries Continue Reading
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E-Zine
27 Aug 2020
CW Nordics: Bergen’s tech hub seeks global success
Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen, is building a tech ecosystem that is beginning its development with a focus on the city’s industrial heritage. Also in this issue, read why now might be the time for businesses to consider how they will invest in outsourcing IT once the Covid-19 pandemic wanes. And read how Norway’s government has had to backtrack on a law that removed tax relief on energy consumption at datacentres that process cryptocurrency mining. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2020
UK government publishes new insights on transport tech attitudes
The latest wave of the study investigates public attitudes on innovations such as autonomous vehicles and drones Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2020
Amazon UK boss to help select new government CDO
Outgoing Amazon UK boss Doug Gurr is on the selection panel to assess candidates for the government chief digital officer role, which offers a salary of up to £200,000 per year Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2020
DWP searches for talent as part of apprenticeship programme
The Department of Work and Pensions is looking for diverse talent to fill software and networking roles while developing skills on the job Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2020
Government must urgently prioritise digital identity, says tech sector
TechUK calls on government to make digital identity a focus of its digital strategy as the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the ‘urgent need’ for digital IDs Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Aug 2020
Digital identity must not remain the missing link in the UK’s digital strategy
The UK's digital economy is desperately in need of a viable digital identity strategy - to recover from the pandemic, the government cannot wait any longer to resolve this much-delayed issue Continue Reading
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Podcast
25 Aug 2020
Gig economy, summer special look-back – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
In this summer special episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna look back to pre-lockdown episodes, and reflect on the podcasting experience since. First, they discuss the gig economy through the prism of new bite-sized BBC comedy Mandy Continue Reading
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News
25 Aug 2020
Council to connect hundreds of its sites through wide area network
Local authorities invest in networking and contact centre technology through IT outsourcing contracts Continue Reading
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News
25 Aug 2020
Obituary: Lord Harry Renwick – a parliamentary pioneer for IT interests
Lord Harry Renwick, once a key influencer for technology policy in Parliament, and a long-standing friend of Computer Weekly, passed away this month Continue Reading
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E-Zine
25 Aug 2020
When algorithms don’t play fair
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we report on the auditing of algorithms to countervail bias. We examine what CISOs can learn from Covid-19. And in our buyer’s guide to modern software development, we assess how competent artificial intelligence is at building applications that deliver the best possible customer experience. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2020
Government makes digital leadership changes
The government has begun recruiting for a chief digital officer at permanent secretary level and Government Digital Service director general Alison Pritchard is leaving to join the Office for National Statistics Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2020
CCS to launch £800m NHS IT framework
Collaborative framework agreement will cover a range of IT management services for use by NHS Digital and other public sector health and social care organisations Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2020
Scottish government reveals broadband voucher scheme to make up project shortfall
Government reveals details of funding for Scottish residents who fall outside reach of its primary broadband project Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2020
SMEs outperform Q2 expectations but remain cautious about Q3 prospects
Small confidence boost for small to medium-sized enterprises puts tech investment back on the table over coming 12 months Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2020
Drop in number of students taking GCSE computing in 2020
The amount of students deciding to take GCSE computing in England drops despite an increase last year Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2020
Government launches anti-crime tech competition
Government seeks technologies that allow police officers to use less lethal means to stop violent or armed offenders Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2020
Scotland announces £15m investment to boost connectivity
Funding package aimed at improving internet access for 23,000 low-income households Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2020
Loan charge MPs urge chancellor to get HMRC to soften contractor settlements
Co-chairs of Loan Charge All Party Parliamentary Group write to Rishi Sunak to seek a fairer deal for contractors caught by HMRC’s disguised remuneration policy Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2020
Government scraps Public Health England
NHS Test and Trace boss Dido Harding will run a new National Institute of Health Protection dubbed “the best chance” of beating coronavirus by health secretary Matt Hancock Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2020
Department for Transport seeks industry views on autonomous vehicle technology
The government wants industry’s views on plans to use automation technology to take control of cars travelling at speeds of up to 70mph, keeping them safely in the lane on motorways Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2020
Northern Ireland Covid-19 tracing app reaches 250,000 downloads
In the two weeks since it went live, Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 test and trace app has been downloaded a quarter of a million times Continue Reading
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Podcast
18 Aug 2020
TikTok in peril, A-level and Scottish Highers algo fiascos – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna discuss the fortunes of TikTok, the A-level results, and the algorithm controversies in which they and Scottish Highers have been mired Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2020
HPE signs 12-month hybrid cloud-focused MoU with UK government
Hardware giant becomes the first non-cloud provider to sign preferential pricing deal with government’s Crown Commercial Service, as push to encourage public sector move to cloud accelerates Continue Reading
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News
17 Aug 2020
Coronavirus: Government faces renewed calls for extended support for self-employed
The second phase of the government’s income support scheme for the self-employed goes live today, prompting renewed calls for the eligibility criteria to be broadened so that more people can benefit Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2020
UK government investigates AI labour market
Survey will seek to discover new requirements and issues posed by artificial intelligence technology Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2020
CIO interview: Mark Gannon, director of business change and information, Sheffield City Council
Like many organisations, the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated digital change in Sheffield, and its IT leader is looking to build further on that momentum Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2020
EU and US start discussions on ‘enhanced’ Privacy Shield data-sharing agreement
Talks begin on a successor to the Privacy Shield EU-US data-sharing agreement declared unlawful in July 2020 – a decision by the European Court of Justice that left thousands of businesses facing legal uncertainty Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2020
Government awards funding for innovation projects
The funding for innovative projects forms part of the government’s plan to increase research and development spending, which it claims will aid the UK’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2020
Police use of facial recognition found ‘unlawful’ in court
In a landmark decision, the Court of Appeal has ruled that South Wales Police’s facial recognition deployments breached human rights and data protection laws Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2020
Government launches digital identity checking pilot
More than a year after first announced, the government has launched a year-long pilot of its post-Brexit digital identity checking service Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2020
Gov.uk Verify continues to pose ‘notable risk’ to Cabinet Office
Government Digital Service put in place “unprecedented measures” in response to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and built several new digital services, but its Gov.uk Verify programme continues to “pose notable risk” to the department, according to Cabinet Office annual report Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2020
Data Standards Authority publishes guidance on government data sharing
The Data Standards Authority (DSA) wants government departments to use new open data standards when sharing data, with the aim of improving public services Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2020
Government should prioritise product-led startups, says UKTCG
UK Tech Cluster Group report calls on government to prioritise startups, provide test beds for digital innovation and establish programmes to enable tech careers for people who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2020
Government pumps £650m into Northern Ireland border
Funding for the Northern Ireland border includes £200m for a Trader Support Service and £155m to develop technology to support traders during post-Brexit transition period Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2020
If you hire foreign IT staff, ‘you’re fired’, Trump tells bosses in government-owned entities
Donald Trump has fired a pre-election warning to government organisations that give IT jobs to workers from overseas Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2020
TfL Go launched to support travel in London during pandemic
New tool aims to enable users to plan routes and comply with social distancing measures while using public transport Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2020
Planning system to get digital overhaul
Government proposal on reform of the planning system sets out plans for modernising the planning process though use of data, interactive online systems and collaboration with the property technology sector Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2020
NHS seeks new national data guardian for health and care
New national data guardian will take over the post from Fiona Caldicott, working to build trust in data use across health and social care Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2020
Netherlands investigates innovative privacy technology SSI
Dutch research organisation is looking into areas where self-sovereign identity technology could be used in society and business Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2020
Egypt’s datacentre plans take key step forward
Government lays the foundations for a datacentre industry with its new data protection law Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2020
Home Office drops ‘racist’ visa algorithm
The Home Secretary has pledged to stop using an algorithmic decision-making system to assess visa applications after migrant welfare and technology justice groups challenged the tool for helping to create a hostile environment for migrants Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2020
Police require radical reform to deal with 21st century challenges
Early findings from a major review of policing reveal forces are struggling to keep pace with the changing nature of crime Continue Reading
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E-Zine
04 Aug 2020
The UK’s $500m space technology gamble
In this week’s Computer Weekly we ask why the UK government is spending $500m on a bankrupt satellite technology company. After a European court quashes the EU-US data sharing agreement, we examine the implications for a UK-EU data protection deal after Brexit. And how have small cloud suppliers coped in the pandemic? Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2020
Estonian police and border services need better IT to block criminals from becoming e-residents
Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia needs to improve its IT systems to stop criminals from becoming e-residents, says report Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2020
Economic Affairs Committee calls for Universal Credit reform
Lords Select Committee finds the design of the Universal Credit system is ‘failing millions of people’, including a ‘significant minority’ who struggle with the digital service Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2020
Experts launch digital skills project for civil servants
International tech education experts from 10 institutions across the world have developed an online education programme for public servants Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2020
Hancock: Better tech means better healthcare
The coronavirus pandemic has “catalysed” data-driven decision making in the NHS, according to health secretary Matt Hancock, promising a future NHS that “doubles down” on technological advances Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2020
Labour Party is latest victim of Blackbaud ransomware attack
Widening Blackbaud data breach ensnares the Labour Party as the cloud software firm continues to duck questions about its behaviour Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2020
US lawmakers grill big tech chiefs over market power
Sixth antitrust hearing sees CEOs of major technology companies face combative questioning from members of Congress over their market power and dominance Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
HMCTS video hearings service scrutinised in LSE report
Independent evaluation looks at user experience of video functionality for courts and tribunals Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
EC launches digital identity consultation
European Commission’s consultation will look at revisions to the eIDAS regulation, aiming to improve effectiveness and extend it to the private sector Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
How Broxbourne is evolving digital transformation beyond Covid-19
The small town of Broxbourne in Hertfordshire is building on work before and during the pandemic to advance its modernisation agenda Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
Treasury plans speedy approach to project delivery
Treasury will become the “new radicals” of Whitehall, taking charge of getting rid of legacy IT, making data-driven decisions and investing in data infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
Tech sector calls on government to 'urgently' resolve delays in digital identity policy
Trade body TechUK has written privately to DCMS secretary of state to express industry frustrations and request ‘urgent needs’ are resolved to enable digital identity market in UK Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
Finland government funds work on potential quantum leap
Finland's government is committing money to the development of quantum computing technologies to potentially provide a giant leap for the nation's industries Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
List of Blackbaud breach victims tops 120
More than 120 education and third-sector organisations may have had their data compromised through the breach of Blackbaud’s cloud platform Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2020
Campaigners urge government to resist big tech lobbying pressure
Lobbyists for big tech, supported by senior US politicians, have rallied against stricter regulation of technology companies, and threatened the US-UK trade deal unless Britain scraps plans to levy a digital services tax Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2020
Schrems steps up pressure on Irish data protection commissioner on Facebook’s data sharing with US
Austrian lawyer is considering ‘other’ options if the Irish data protection commissioner does not make a decision by October on his seven-year-old complaint against Facebook Continue Reading
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Opinion
29 Jul 2020
Taking back control of government data mustn’t leave the public in the dark
Boris Johnson has quietly transferred control over government data to Number 10, without explaining why. The public deserves more involvement in how their personal data is being used, says Labour Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2020
De Montfort, KCL, Newcastle universities join list of Blackbaud victims
Embattled cloud services provider now has big questions to answer over its handling of data belonging to UK universities and charities Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2020
NCSC names national security expert Lindy Cameron as new CEO
New National Cyber Security Centre head joins from the Northern Ireland Office and has spent 20 years in government at home and abroad Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2020
UK government aims fintech industry at Africa
UK government is building fintech relationships with developing countries, beginning with a pilot programme in Africa Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2020
Councils get funding to build on Covid-19 digital progress
The latest council funding is intended to ensure continued modernisation in public services delivery Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2020
MI6 apologises after attempt to interfere with intelligence court
The UK Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, has apologised after attempting to persuade the secretary of Britain’s most secret court to withhold documents from senior judges in a case about crimes by undercover agents Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2020
Venture firm Public launches fourth GovTech accelerator
The GovStart 2020 accelerator programme is looking for innovators working on transport, health and workforce-related technology to help get more startups working on the delivery of public services Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2020
Inquiry launched into role of tech in Covid-19 recovery
Science and Technology Committee will look at the role of technology and innovation as the UK recovers from the coronavirus pandemic Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2020
Courts to trial digital case management system from September 2020
The Common Platform digital system will eventually replace a series of existing software applications, and will be rolled out to criminal courts over the next year Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2020
Government launches space innovation programme
The government’s innovation programme will initially pump £15m into projects using space technology to tackle global issues, as well as international space projects and partnerships Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Jul 2020
How Schrems II will impact data sharing between the UK and the US
At the end of this year, the UK will no longer be subject to the EU’s treaties, opening the way for it and the US to finalise a new trade relationship. Could the UK leave EU data protection standards behind? Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Jul 2020
Making Tax Digital will boost business resilience in case of future Covid crises
HMRC is expanding the digitisation of income and corporation tax in a move that will benefit businesses, the self-employed and the economy, writes the government's financial secretary to the Treasury Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2020
UK government aims for tech-enabled border
A consultation has been launched to gather views on how digital approaches can improve trader and traveller demands by 2025 Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2020
DCMS loses government data policy to the Cabinet Office
Prime minister Boris Johnson has taken away responsibility for the government use of data from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and given it to the Cabinet Office Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2020
New opportunities for Nordic startups post-Covid-19 as virtual offices become the norm
As companies adjust to digital office life in the pandemic era, a host of Nordic startups are already helping them convert these short-term fixes into long-term strategy Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2020
TfL contracts Capita for London Underground section of emergency services network
Capita will implement the network infrastructure that will enable the emergency services mobile network to work on the London Underground Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2020
CDEI calls for ‘step change’ in public sector data sharing
Public sector needs to change the way data is shared, clarify governance arrangements and work on building public trust and awareness, according to a Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation report Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2020
HMRC extends Making Tax Digital programme
Programme to be extended gradually until April 2023 to cover business below the VAT threshold and income tax self-assessments above £10,000 a year Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2020
Covid-19 outbreak ramps up data focus at LOTI
The boroughs working in local government coalition LOTI are focusing on joining up and acting on data-driven insights to help communities through the crisis and beyond Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2020
Government launches fintech review
Sector review, first touted in the 2020 Budget, aims to find ways to boost competitiveness and growth Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2020
DVLA makes technological progress
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has introduced a 24/7 chatbot, modernised its core IT network and is prototyping robotic process automation Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Jul 2020
Building trust in the future of London’s data
Sharing data by default could turbocharge London’s potential for radical improvements across the ecosystem, according to London First’s director of connectivity and competitiveness, David Lutton Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2020
Unesco launches global consultation on AI ethics
The United Nations (UN) body opens up public consultation to help experts draft new global framework on artificial intelligence ethics Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2020
Government gives £24m boost to agricultural tech
Nine agricultural technology projects are receiving government funding to create more efficient food production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2020
Lockdown sparks interest in digital skills for 58% of adults
Adults in the UK are becoming increasingly interested in digital skills, with over 80% saying they will become even more important over the next year Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Loan charge: Government dashes hopes of revised down settlements for contractors
HMRC and HM Treasury confirm there are no plans to alter the loan charge settlement terms, despite calls from cross-party MPs to consider doing so Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Public sector not considering the elderly in development of digital services
A study by software firm Civica found public sector leaders have admitted to not targeting digital services at those over 70, despite many people this age claiming to use digital technology Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Russian state hackers attacking Covid-19 researchers
Kremlin-linked APT29 group, also known as Cozy Bear, is conducting a campaign against Covid-19 researchers around the world Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Government response to Finance Bill Sub-Committee inquiry slammed
Contracting stakeholders claim HMRC and HM Treasury are ‘burying their heads in the sand’ over impact IR35 reforms are set to have on the private sector Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Schrems v Facebook: European court strikes down EU-US Privacy Shield agreement
The European Court of Justice has struck down Privacy Shield, the EU-US data-sharing agreement, creating uncertainty for European countries that share data with the US and pressuring the US to reform surveillance laws Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Gov.uk Verify sees surge during Covid-19 outbreak but remains unachievable
The government's flagship identity service and over half of the 26 major IT projects led by the government bear highest risks and are unlikely to be completed, according to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Room for improvement in Dutch digital skills
The Netherlands has good telecommunications and IT networks that can be used safely and reliably, but there is room for improvement in digital skills among the Dutch Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
Defra releases sustainable IT strategy
Defra’s sustainable IT strategy seeks to help government and private organisations maximise the benefits of sustainability, with an overall mission to ‘leave the environment in a better state than we found it’ Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
Overseas IT directors could need salary of £56,100 to work in the UK
The government has confirmed the salaries it considers as the ‘going rate’ for tech professions, which overseas applicants will need to earn to gain immigration points Continue Reading