UK Government Digital Service

We have the opportunity to start again, to resize and reshape the operations of the state around new technologies, argues the former UK digital head. Frankly, he says, if we don’t, they’ll do it to us.

British digital identity verification service GOV.UK Verify has gone live. There are plenty of lessons as the DTO starts work on its own system. An early one is minimising user-hassle by working with existing systems.

The UK Cabinet Office says it’s exploring options for the future of the Government Digital Service — on which Australia’s Digital Transformation Office is based. It follows GDS boss Mike Bracken’s announcement he will depart in September.

The Australian portal business.gov.au and its licence and information service helped show that “government as a platform” can ease a common frustration with regulation. Now the UK Government Digital Service is looking for the next step.

EXCLUSIVE: Malcolm Turnbull has appointed UK government digital director, tech entrepreneur and social activist Paul Shetler to lead his $250 million digital change program.

Small data, or just data, is better than the current “big data” focus, says a government wonk from the UK. Meanwhile, economist Ross Gittens has some lessons in behavioural economics for regulators. And Australia’s marks are in on the social progress index.