Insights

Procurement reform is changing what it means to demonstrate value in public sector technology. Building on shifts already visible in areas like NHS digital procurement and continuous assurance, there is a growing expectation that suppliers must evidence how services perform in operation - not just whether they meet requirements at the point of delivery.  What is emerging is a more outcomes-led view of value, where long-term behaviour matters as much as initial delivery. 

The realities of modern warfare coupled with the rapid development of advanced battlespace technology has changed how governments think about communications, resilience, and sovereignty. For NATO allies, one lesson stands out above all others: communications networks are no longer simply an enabler of military operations — they are the operational backbone that connects platforms, systems, sensors and warfighters across every domain. UK Defence Secretary John Healey recently reflected this reality when he stated following the Strategic Defence Review, “the world has changed, and we must respond.”  

Most leadership teams I have worked alongside know the size of their budget gap to the pound. The finance team has done the work, the figure is on the spreadsheet, the board has been briefed. And in almost every case, the real number is bigger. Not because anyone has got their sums wrong. Because the deficit an organisation can see is rarely the deficit it has. I see it in councils, universities, and the regulated industries we work with. The shape is the same. 

Get up to speed with techUK's activity during London Climate Week 2026.

On 28 April, techUK brought together a panel of subject matter experts to discuss a fascinating emerging area at the frontier of artificial intelligence, bio intelligence.

On Wednesday 20 May, techUK brought together industry leaders, government representatives and security professionals to explore the critical issues shaping supply chain security across the UK, examining the steps already being taken and the best practices ready to be implemented.

techUK has published a new report on AI procurement, "Lessons from the AI Procurement Frontline: Beyond the contract and buying blind: Rethinking AI procurement as a governance function," examining how organisations can navigate the critical decisions involved in buying AI systems and establish procurement as a genuine governance function.

Guest blog by Mark Hutchinson, Executive Vice President at Altera Digital Health (UK & EMEA)

On 20 May 2026, techUK hosted a session of the Interoperability in Justice and Public Safety Forum, with an agenda focused on advancing interoperability across justice and public safety, with a particular emphasis on operational data sharing and delivery.

Guest blog by Mark Venables, CEO at Highland

On Thursday 14 May, techUK was pleased to host a Cyber SME Forum webinar exploring how government supports the UK cyber security sector to succeed in global markets.

techUK has published its first report on photonics, the science and technology of light, which sets out how the UK can position itself as a global leader in photonics technologies and lead the next wave of photonics innovation and deployment.

Yesterday (21/05/2026), DBT announced that the UK has signed an FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council, comprised of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. This is the GCC’s first FTA with a G7 economy. DBT estimates the deal will remove an estimated £580 million in duties every year.

Read our insight on the CCC's Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk, A Well-Adapted UK.

Guest blog by Nataliia Chornohub, CEO at YC World #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by James Thomas, Global Head of Cyber and Priit Liivak, Chief Architect at Nortal #SupplyChainSecurity

Guest blog by Jonathan Lee, Director of Cyber Strategy at TrendAI #SupplyChainSecurity

Guest blog by Nick Leonard, Head of Architecture at CACI #SupplyChainSecurity

Written by Charlotte Knight, Digital Inclusion Officer, GMCA

Guest blog by Ministry of Defence #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Dean Clark, Architect, EMEA Defence Strategy; Nick Maynard, Principal Technologist, UK Defence and Jonny Williams, Chief Digital Adviser, UK Public Sector at RedHat #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Tracey Hannan-Jones, Consulting Director in Information Security at UBDS Digital #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Steve Jewell, Chief Executive Officer at Nine23 #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Richard Green, Managing Director, Defence & Justice at North #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog: Chris Rea, Prospects at Jisc, discusses their new report showing a disconnect between young people's perceptions and AI's real impact on work and jobs.

On 20 May 2026, techUK and NHS England Core Services co-hosted the inaugural session of a new Supplier Engagement Series, attended by over 100 industry representatives.

Securing supply chains is a shared responsibility - one that requires collaboration across procurement, security, engineering and operations teams alike.

Guest blog by Arno Selvini, EMEA Marketing at Yubico #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Amber Strickland at Gowling WLG #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Emily Wells-Cole, Principal at Netcompany #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Brig (Rtd) Sara Sharkey CBE, Strategy & Executive Director at Prolinx #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Sarb Sembhi, CTO at Virtually Informed #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Kenneth Abraham, Solutions Architect at Zaizi #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Mit Patel, Founder at Assurix #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by Sakif Zafar, Principal Information Security Consultant at Littlefish Group #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

This month's Talking 5 guest is Julia Brennan, Director of Local Government, Housing and Communities at Transform

Guest blog by Andrius Ulenskas, Technical Director at Hyve Managed Hosting #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

techUK is excited to launch its inaugural Supply Chain Security Campaign Week, taking place from 18–22 May 2026, bringing together insights and expertise from across our Cyber Resilience, Defence and National Security programmes.

Guest blog by Phil Skelton, International Senior Director at eSentire #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by John Hicklin, Lab-1 and Rob Wright, Nexor #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

Guest blog by David Mitton – Head of UK Government Team at Dun & Bradstreet #techUKSupplyChainSecurityWeek

On Monday the 20th of April, techUK hosted a series of talks looking at how we can move chips up the policy agenda, through leveraging government ambitions across AI and other emerging technologies.

The Government has set out its vision for transforming care through its Neighbourhood Health Framework, supported by NHS England’s latest guidance to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) on developing Neighbourhood Health Centres (NHCs).

On Thursday 7 May, techUK was delighted to host a webinar in partnership with the UK Cyber Security Council on ‘Shaping the Future of the UK Cyber Profession’.

A survey conducted by Policing Insight, supported by a steering group comprising the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the Police Federation of England and Wales, the Home Office, and the Police Digital Service, has found that more than half of police officers are dissatisfied with the current provision of digital, data and technology (DDaT) within police forces.

The Government's Growing Up in the Online World consultation closes on 26 May. techUK sets out its positions ahead of submitting a formal response. 

techUK is pleased to gather member interest to join techUK’s Delegation to Switzerland taking place from 28 September to 01 October 2026. 

We were pleased to host the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for a market engagement webinar focused on Forensics Net (MO4).

On Wednesday 29 April, techUK convened a panel discussion hosted by FDM Group to examine AI's impact on junior hiring, set against a backdrop of acute government focus on youth employment and concern about automations implications on entry-level roles. 

What the 2026 legislative agenda means for investment, innovation, and the UK’s digital economy.

Today’s King’s Speech outlined the government’s legislative priorities for the year ahead, including an upcoming Bill covering Digital Identity, called the Digital Access to Services Bill. The focus of the Bill is to modernise how citizens interact with public services. 

The UK Spectrum Policy Forum is pleased to announce that Coleago Consulting has been selected to lead the UK Spectrum Policy Forum's study on future spectrum users' demand.

Catch up on the discussion from the UK SPF's Cluster 1 workshop.

On the 12 May, the government published the annual Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis 2026 report, sharing insights on the size, growth and focus areas for the UK cyber security sector.

On 30 April, techUK convened senior leaders from across the digital health, life sciences, and social care industry in Leeds for our annual Health and Social Care Industry Dinner.

Following last week's local elections and the Senedd vote in Wales, Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a reset speech on 11 May morning. The speech contained some announcements on the UK's relationship with the European Union

Catch up on the conversation from the inaugural Advanced Connectivity Technologies Forum

This article sets out why the UK must move now to lead the convergence that will define the next generation of medicines.

The RIO Is seeking insights from businesses to understand the regulatory barriers that are holding back innovation across all science and technology sectors.

techUK convened its inaugural Climate Policy Forum, bringing together members, policymakers and industry experts to explore key climate policy developments and shape the future direction of techUK’s climate programme.

This year’s reception brought together leaders from policing, justice, fire and industry for an afternoon of discussion on the role of data and technology in improving public safety outcomes

On Tuesday 28 April, techUK was pleased to host the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): United States programme update webinar providing members with an update on the United States Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification CMMC programme, following the finalisation of regulations by the US Department of Defense.

Guest blog by Katy Weber, Director of Partnerships at Apolitical #techUKSmarterState

In the early hours of 7 May 2026, after roughly nine hours of negotiations, the European Parliament, Council, and Commission reached political agreement on the AI Omnibus during the third political trilogue meeting.

The framing of the debate - that grid convenience should drive location decisions for digital infrastructure - deserves scrutiny.

techUK has submitted its response to the Department for Education's Call for Evidence on the use of AI and digital technology in children's social care.

Guest blog by David Singer, Director of Design at Transform #techUKSmarterState