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POSTnote by Lydia Harriss and Anneliese Hodge. It was first published on Friday, 25 April 2025. It was last updated on Tuesday, 29 April 2025.


Digital Transformation in Government

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58248/PN743 

Digital transformation

  • Digital transformation is broadly defined as the use of digital technology at one or more of the following levels: changing processes and services from analogue to digital, rethinking the way a process or service is provided, or redesigning the way a business or organisation runs through the implementation of digital technology.  
  • The 2025 State of Digital Government Review found that 25% of government services are “outdated” and 47% of services offered by central government are not digitised. 
  • Government digital transformation has multiple potential benefits, including improved service efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced citizen engagement by streamlining processes and speeding up service delivery.  
  • Challenges to digital transformation in government arise across a range of areas, including finance and funding, communication, skills, leadership, project and departmental structure, and cultural resistance.  
  • Potential negative effects of government digital transformation include environmental harm, digital exclusion, health and social harms and decline in service resilience. 
  • A checklist of questions to inform parliamentary scrutiny has been developed in collaboration with stakeholders.

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Secondary information

Type
Research briefing
Reference
POST-PN-0743 
Subjects
Cost effectiveness Business Communication Digital technology Employment Health Finance Environment protection Government Local government NHS Public sector Procurement Parliamentary scrutiny Standards Skilled workers Leadership
Published by
POST
Link
View this Research briefing on researchbriefings.parliament.uk