A roadmap for modern digital government
techUK is pleased to welcome the publication of the long-awaited Roadmap for a Modern Digital Government. It brings together some of the most important products, platforms and transformation initiatives planned between now and 2030. The roadmap will evolve with time, responding to citizen’s needs and ensuring technology advances alongside them - a real-time record of government’s top digital priorities, which aim to transform how public services are delivered.
In particular, we are pleased to see that the government recognises that current funding and procurement approaches aren’t optimised for the best outcomes for citizens, this aligns with our findings in our September 2026 report ‘Financing the Future - Building a Smarter State Through Digital Public Services’, which explores current approaches to procuring digital services and how they might be improved – highlighting certain guiding principles that the government should adhere to that will encourage best practice within digital delivery.
Five key aims
It is designed to deliver on 5 key aims set out in the blueprint for modern digital government – easier lives, faster growth, firmer foundations, smarter organisations and higher productivity and efficiency. Progress will be tracked at the activity level – tracking delivery of individual projects, products and commitments – and the outcome level, using key indicators to understand how government is achieving its aims.
What it means
For citizens: At its heart, the roadmap should make everyday interactions with government easier for citizens, making sure these interactions such as renewing licences, managing health records, or paying taxes are simplified and more intuitive – and don’t add to the complexities of modern life. Government recognises that current systems and outdated technologies are not clunky, inefficient and cost more to the taxpayer. Secretary of State Liz Kendall frames the roadmap as a collective effort across government to build “a more agile, productive and inclusive state, fit for the future.”
For businesses: The government aims to reduce administrative burdens for businesses so they can focus on growth. This includes initiatives like One Login, simplified procurement processes and being able to find talent faster using smarter candidate matching tools.
For public sector workers: Government is looking to equip the public sector with modern tools, data and sills to deliver efficient services, and ensuring all workers have the confidence and support to use them effectively.
Top digital priorities
The roadmap addresses a set of high-level priorities for digital transformation:
1. Joined up public sector services
The commitment to joined up public services aims to break down silos across departments so that services work together seamlessly. This means designing end-to-end user journeys, ensuring consistent standards across the public sector.
2. Harness the power of AI for the public good
The government emphasises responsible AI adoption, strengthening digital skills and embedding AI in ways that improve services and accessibility. This includes promoting d ‘Im
3. Strengthen and extend our digital and data public infrastructure
The focus on infrastructure specifically involves building a safe and secure digital public infrastructure that allows teams across the public sector to share data and information effectively. This will ensure smoother service delivery and underpin growth and innovation.
4. Elevate leadership and invest in talent
A nod to leadership and talent centres on plans to strengthen digital leadership, improve pay and career paths for technology specialists, and also ensure all civil servants have the digital and data skills they need in the digital age.
5. Fund for outcomes, procure for growth and innovation
The note on funding recognises that the public sector spends heavily on digital, but current funding and procurement approaches are not always set up to deliver long-term transformation. The government aims to change the way technology products and services are funded, bought and managed so that public money delivers the best possible outcomes for citizens.
6. Commit to transparency and drive accountability
The drive for transparency and Improving trust in government services speaks to what matters most to the public, and requires openness, accountability, and unwavering focus. With more decisions supported by digital services and AI, accountability must be built in, with frontline civil servants overseeing individual decisions and senior leaders remaining responsible for system-level outcomes.
Summary
In summary, the roadmap lays a vision for a modern digital government that works for citizens, making life easier, driving growth, and delivering smarter, more efficient public services, with over £45 billion a year in unrealised savings and productivity benefits.
Please click here to read more about the roadmap, its digital priorities, and how progress will be tracked.
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
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