How should Government deal with ‘big tech’ in sourcing its digital services?
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines the Government’s relationship with digital technology suppliers in an evidence session on Thursday 27 February at 10am, proceeding from the National Audit Office’s (NAO) own report on the topic.
Meeting details
The UK Government spends at least £14bn a year on procuring its digital services, although this estimate is likely to be incomplete as basic data on how much Government spends in this area is lacking. The NAO report found that Government does not know how much is spent overall on digital change programmes, or with major digital suppliers, making it difficult for Government to make informed decisions.
The NAO noted that some technology markets are now dominated by very large suppliers. It also pointed to the need for a strategy that takes account of how to deal with ‘big tech’ suppliers who are bigger than governments themselves. The Government increasingly relies on this sector to provide cloud services and artificial intelligence.
The NAO report found that Government does not speak to its digital suppliers with a single voice. Different parts of Government interact with individual suppliers but do not often take a cross-Government view, with no single area of Government focused on highlighting and addressing how departments can improve the use of suppliers in digital transformation programmes.
Based on the report, the PAC will hear from senior officials at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Cabinet Office, with likely subjects including:
- The quality of support provided to Departments from the centre;
- Structures and responsibilities for digital procurement; and
- How to encourage Government to be proactive and strategic in its digital commercial activities.