UK Government-run digital services will be overhauled through a new ‘digital playbook’ designed to ensure better value for taxpayers and support job growth across the UK.

An 11-point guide had been created as part of the Digital, Data, and Technology Playbook, bringing together expertise from across government and industry.

Supporting the delivery of high-quality public service while driving better value for money is becoming ever more crucial in an increasingly digital and connected society, the government said.

With around £46 billion expected to be spent on digital projects this year, the digital playbook will ensure taxpayer money is better used and supports the ‘Levelling Up’ agenda.

Teams working on digital projects are encouraged to find ways of improving efficiencies and cutting costs, including through improved supplier relationships, and reduced legacy IT issues.

For example, all new digital products bought by government should work with existing systems, enabling effective data sharing across suppliers and departments in interoperable, reusable, and open formats.

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Commenting on the digital playbook, Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “This Playbook will draw on the wealth of digital expertise at our disposal to produce better services at lower cost.

“This will go hand-in-hand with a new procurement regime that takes advantage of our position outside the European Union, offering more opportunities for small businesses to bid for government contracts, encouraging greater innovation in public services and ultimately delivering better value for taxpayers.”

The Playbook also breaks down barriers for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), urging teams to focus on areas where SMEs can play a role in delivering public services, such as by offering agile and innovative digital solutions.

Focusing on this area will make it easier for public sector organisations to work with SMEs, while also helping the firms to take advantage of tender opportunities and drive job growth across the country.

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