Features

EU report signposts route to blockchain ID verification

Fragmented. Insecure. Lacking in interoperability. These are just some of the realities of today’s digital identity landscape, according to a new report published by the European Union Blockchain Observatory & […]

“Worse is yet to come”: former UK EU rep’s view on Brexit

As Europeans go to the polls this week, the UK PM’s new offer to MPs looks unlikely to rescue the country from its Brexit turmoil. Last week, the former British […]

Digital tech will bring ‘autonomous government’, claims Lithuanian ICT chief

The head of Lithuania’s digital industry body sees a future in which services are wholly managed by AI systems. At the Putting Citizens First conference, he explained his radical vision. […]

Exchanging data, winning trust: the twin pillars of citizen-centric services

When departments can exchange data, they can build services around citizens’ needs; but such data-sharing demands public support. Last month, an international panel discussed the potential to deliver citizen-centric services […]

UK ‘breaking open’ civil service recruitment, says chief exec

The UK civil service’s ‘ridiculously structured’ approach to recruitment has held it back, chief executive John Manzoni said last week: its new hiring process should bring in people with broader […]

Disrupting governments: choosing a pace for public sector innovation

Citizens increasingly expect the government’s digital services to match those of the private sector – but a rapid shift online risks leaving behind those service users who can’t or won’t […]

Brexit round-up: more crazy madness – and a break in the stormclouds

As the UK’s Tory party descended into yet more infighting this week, Parliament started to look for consensus. Having finally lost patience with the government, the House of Commons is […]

If it flexes, it won’t break: innovation in the workspace

When public bodies launch coordinated reforms of workspaces, staff technologies and working practices, they can cut costs and environmental impact whilst boosting organisational flexibility and morale. At Innovation 2019, an […]

Opinion: time for Parliament to turn the tables

On Wednesday, UK PM Theresa May argued that parliamentary resistance to her Brexit plan was damaging trust in democracy. But forcing the country to choose between a terrible deal and […]

Turning protest to participation: civic tech in France

France’s ‘gilet jaunes’ movement prompted the government to launch a massive, tech-enabled consultation – and it’s attracted more people than the ongoing street protests. This week a Paris conference explored […]