The government has published a roadmap outlining how technology will be used across the public sector to improve services, boost productivity, and make everyday interactions with the state simpler for citizens
Covering plans through to 2030, the roadmap brings together major digital products, platforms and transformation programmes already underway or set to launch in the coming years.
The roadmap builds on the blueprint for modern digital government, published a year ago, which sets out an ambitious commitment to reshape public services through digital transformation.
Since then, progress has been made across all parts of government, with a focus on joined-up services, responsible use of artificial intelligence, stronger digital infrastructure and investment in skills.
Making public services work together
A central aim of the roadmap is to make public services easier to access and more joined-up. The GOV.UK app has already been downloaded more than 316,000 times in beta, giving users a simpler way to interact with the government.
Alongside this GOV.UK Wallet now includes it’s first digital credential, the Veteran Card, offering over two million former service personnel a secure way to prove their status and access support and benefits.
GOV.UK One Login continues to expand, with more than 13 million people using it to access over 120 government services.
The service is expected to play an increased role in supporting access to local government services, supported by a new GDS Local unit designed to strengthen collaboration between central and local government.
A new CustomerFirst team has also been launched to modernise customer services across government. Using AI and service design, the team aims to reduce waiting times and backlogs, with early work already underway in partnership with the DVLA.
Using AI responsibly for the public good
Artificial intelligence is becoming a more important tool across the public sector. In healthcare, AI is being used to predict demand in 50 A&E departments, helping manage pressure during busy periods. In the justice system, more than 1,000 probation officers are now using AI transcription tools to reduce administrative work and focus on frontline support.
Within the civil service, tools such as Consult are changing the way public consultation responses are analysed, reducing review times from days to seconds.
The AI Knowledge Hub continues to grow, providing guidance and resources to help teams adopt AI safely and responsibly. Public-facing tools are also expanding, with GOV.UK Chat set to roll out more widely across the GOV.UK website and app..
Strengthening digital foundations
Responsibility for public sector cyber security moved to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology last year, bringing greater alignment with the digital centre of government. A new vulnerability scanning service is already supporting around 6,000 public sector bodies to improve cyber resilience.
Work is also underway to define common API standards, making it easier for systems and data to connect across government and improving the reliability of digital public infrastructure.
Investing in people and skills
To meet the goal of having one in ten civil servants working in digital and technology roles by 2030, the government is expanding programmes such as TechTrack apprenticeships and launching new AI upskilling initiatives. Leadership development is also a priority, with new programmes planned to ensure senior leaders have the digital and data skills needed to lead modern services.
Funding, transparency and accountability
The roadmap commits to new funding models that support long-term, multidisciplinary product teams rather than short funding cycles. Alongside this, initiatives such as the National Digital Exchange aim to improve how technology is bought across the public sector, with potential savings of £1.2 billion a year.
Transparency remains an important principle. More than 70 records have already been published under the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, with plans to publish product roadmaps for major digital services in the year ahead.
All of these commitments set out a clear direction for how digital transformation will continue to reshape public services and improve outcomes for citizens across the UK.
