Sir Iain Duncan Smith questioned on digitisation of public services and Universal Credit
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will continue its inquiry into the government’s planned digital transformation of public services by questioning local government and digital ID providers, as well as the former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP.
In the first panel, the cross-party committee will hear from local government representatives on how technology has improved service delivery, challenges in putting this into practice, and views on how the new Government Digital Service (GDS) can may support local authorities.
Meeting details
In the second panel, MPs will investigate digital IDs, including the benefits – and risks – this can offer. Members may explore how to balance the roll out of services like digital IDs against the need for digital inclusion, as well as the introduction of a GOV.UK wallet, and the issue of safeguarding users' data.
The former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, will then be questioned on the introduction of Universal Credit, which faced significant IT issues. The committee could discuss the challenges faced in introducing this new system, and the lessons it holds for the current government’s plans for digital transformation of government.