The UK has launched a new Government Digital Service Local unit (GDS Local) to improve digital collaboration between central and local government, streamline technology procurement, and support a joined-up approach to challenges such as homelessness.

GDS Local will sit within the broader GDS, which is designated as the “digital centre of government” and is part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

One area of focus will be reforming how councils buy technology. This will start with developing a vision for local government technology that includes shared products and components to create the foundations for a new, joined-up approach to procurement and IT market reform.

The government said there is a need to move away from “costly ball and chain contracts” where councils are locked into long-term agreements with single suppliers.

The unit will also work with councils so that residents can eventually use GOV.UK One Login and the GOV.UK app to access both national and local services through a single account. This work will start with prioritising use cases.

In addition, GDS Local will work with councils to share anonymised data on issues like homelessness trends and service demand.

New public sector skills hub

The unit will be supported by a new Government Digital and Data Hub, an online platform that provides public sector digital and data professionals from central government, local councils, the NHS and other public bodies with access to training courses, career guidance, networking events and practical resources to help improve their skills.

Ian Murray, minister for digital government, commented: “For too long, local councils have been left out of the digital transformation happening across central government, despite delivering the services that matter most to, and are closest to, people’s lives.

“That changes today. GDS Local will help end the postcode lottery for digital services, giving every community access to modern, joined-up and reliable online services. This is about making government work seamlessly for people wherever they live and delivering the world-class local digital experience they rightly expect.”

Innovation hackathon

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been working with GDS as an early local partner.

Councillor Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Cabinet member for innovation, said: “GDS Local is an important step forward in transforming public services through collaboration and innovation and I am delighted the government chose to launch this initiative here in the City Region, where we are already putting these principles into practice.”

The combined authority has a Community Charter on Data and AI, which was developed by residents, and an Office for Public Service Innovation, which brings together six local authorities, NHS partners, housing providers, universities and the voluntary sector to use data to “tackle the root causes of disadvantage, not just the symptoms”.

GDS Local will bring councils, tech experts and designers together this week at the local government Innovation Hackathon. Taking place in Birmingham on 26-27 November, the event will explore how technology can help tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.

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