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Three steps to digital government

Editorial Type: Opinion     Date: 05-2015    Views: 2680      





Neil Robson of Storetec discusses why the UK government has to make digital working a key focus area

This year's General Election has proven to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent times, with all the main political parties doing everything in their power to offer voters a vision of the future that is full of opportunities. If there's anything that unites the parties, then it's the need to effectively cut government spending and lessen the severity of public sector cuts. In short, being money wise while boosting GDP.

One way in which this can be achieved is through transforming government, centrally and locally, to a digital way of working. In the information age, characterised by the predominance of the internet in our personal lives, it is imperative that the next UK government makes this a priority. In my view there are three key things policymakers in all departments should keep in mind:

1. The evolving digital environment
Paper, processes and old ways of working - all of these cost time and money, which could be put to better use. Old habits die hard though, and form filling, face-to-face meetings and document-driven procedures endure. Over the last decade though, the digital revolution has really taken hold and now offers a far better reality, wherein money isn't squandered needlessly and services are improved to everyone's benefit.

For example, real and lasting change can be made through the total digitisation of paper in any given department, meaning that information is centralised, secure and easy to access. Civil servants benefit from a more productive environment, while those accessing government services experience a much more streamlined and efficient service. This is all made possible through a modern way of working.

2. The power to cut costs creatively
Local government accounts for a quarter of all public spending, a fact of which council leaders across the country are all too aware, given that they are charged with enacting some exacting cuts. Yet, with a bit of creative thinking, this can be achieved with minimal damage to any given local authority's ability to deliver services to their respective constituents. For example, did you know that Scarborough Borough has saved £185,000 a year through the replacement of expensive printers with cheaper, multifunctional alternatives?

And the savings can go into the billions. The NHS is currently in the midst of a total digital upgrade, which PWC estimated back in 2013 could see the NHS £4.4 billion better off by 2018.

The efficiency gains to be had are sizeable: the City of Copenhagen, which has embarked on a major shift to an online base of operations, estimates that digital transactions will be five per cent cheaper than current face-to-face solutions.

3. The high expectations of today
Everything is easier with technology. From shopping to banking to keeping in touch with friends and family members and learning what's happening in the world, it's all possible from a mobile device.

Culturally, the move to digital has been outside of public services, yet change is in the air. Now that this is becoming increasingly the norm, people are keen to experience 'digital-first' across the board. Public services are no different.

Change is already afoot, with the DVLA abolishing the need for car owners to display a paper tax disc in their car. As a document on the matter states, "the abolition will provide administrative cost savings to the taxpayer and business, and removal of an administrative inconvenience to motorists."

More and more, people are going to want to see and experience public services that are digitally-first. Paper is always going to be an option, an alternative to fall back on, but in the future, everything is going to be achievable via the web.

A digital government is an effective government
The new government has a lot of expectation riding on them to make the next five years more upbeat, inclusive and life-changing than the previous five. Putting digital at the heart of what all decision makers do at every level of government is going to be instrumental. Technology can deliver exceptional results.
More info: www.storetec.net

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