"Government is knowledge intensive. Effective
information and sound ICT strategies go hand in hand. We will take
a strong interest in future in how government is making the most of
ICT to secure efficiencies and make possible new ways of delivering
public services. At the same time, we will be looking at the steps
being taken by government to rationalize its ICT, to achieve
short-term cost savings."
Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, 17
February 2011
The National Audit Office has today published a review of how
government uses Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to
deliver public services. The review, the purpose of which is to
inform the debate about government's new use of ICT, gives an
overview of existing uses, as well as initiatives and changes
underway.
It details a number of big challenges the government faces in
protecting and improving the value for money of ICT and in ensuring
that ICT is deployed fully in the drive to secure sustainable cost
reduction.
In response to such challenges and a worsening financial
situation, the government has made a number of changes, prominent
among which was the formation in June 2010 of the Efficiency and
Reform Group that is taking a new approach to securing value for
money from ICT. The Group has been responsible for a number of new
initiatives, including the moratorium on central government's
signing new ICT contracts worth more than £1 million without
agreement from the Minister for the Cabinet Office; a mandatory
review of all ICT projects currently underway to identify waste;
and a drive to renegotiate contracts with suppliers.
Most of the Group's initiatives are at a very early stage and it
is too early for the National Audit Office to evaluate their
effect. The spending watchdog indicates, however, that today's
review will set the ground for future evaluations of these and
other initiatives designed to achieve value for money from ICT
spending.
Publication details:
HC: 757, 2010-2011
ISBN: 9780102969481