Cleveland Police Put More Drones on the Beat
Cleveland Police has rolled out a Drone as First Responder (DFR) system, enabling drones to be launched from weather‑proof boxes in as little as 90 seconds. Operators control the aircraft from the control room, providing live aerial footage to guide officers on the ground. Since the start of the year the DFR has been deployed in 73 live incidents, complementing a broader fleet that logged 2,185 routine flights in 2025. The force now has 59 certified pilots supporting searches, suspect tracking and evidence collection.
Welsh Development Bank Invests in AI Skills
Welsh government‑backed Development Bank of Wales has awarded a £60,000 (≈$73,000) contract to Cheshire‑based Generative AI Strategy B.V. to run a year‑long AI upskilling programme beginning 17 April 2026. The initiative will teach staff generative AI fundamentals and safe use of Microsoft...
New EPR Goes Live in Torbay and South Devon
The Epic electronic patient record (EPR) system has gone live across Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, linking hospital and community sites. The rollout initially connects Royal Devon University Healthcare and Torbay and South Devon Trust, with University Hospitals...
NCSC Warns of Russian Cyber Hijack Threat
The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned that Russian state‑linked group APT28 is hijacking popular routers such as TP‑Link and MikroTik to reroute internet traffic through malicious DNS servers. By compromising these devices, the group conducts man‑in‑the‑middle attacks that...
Unlocking the Common Components of a Digital Backbone for Modern Services
The UKAuthority’s Powering Digital Public Services conference will run three virtual mornings in April, focusing on the common components of a digital backbone—platforms, cloud, identity, data infrastructure, and funding models. Speakers from the NHS, Ministry of Defence, local councils and...
Kent Seeks AI Partner for Musculoskeletal Care
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is set to procure an AI‑driven digital physiotherapy service that will replace traditional musculoskeletal care pathways across the county. The selected UK supplier must provide a standalone, end‑to‑end clinical pathway, handling referral, triage, treatment...
NIHR Fund Leeds AI Expansion
Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust will broaden its artificial‑intelligence capabilities after receiving a £1.5 million (≈$1.9 million) award from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The funding will finance a trial of an AI‑enabled handheld cardiac ultrasound device aimed at...
Fire Chiefs Create Digital Insight Into Fire Control Operators
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has launched dedicated webpages that showcase the role of fire control operators in the UK’s emergency response system. These pages detail the operators’ responsibilities, from handling the first 999 call to coordinating multi‑agency resources...
New Digital Funding for Transport Improvement Projects
The UK Department for Transport has allocated roughly $51 million (£40 million) to help local authorities trial digital solutions that streamline travel, cut congestion and reduce disruption. A $7.6 million (£6 million) pilot in the Peak District will synchronize rural bus services with train...
Highway Licence Application Forms Digitised at TfL
Transport for London (TfL) has digitised all highway licence application forms, moving from paper and Word‑based processes to an online system built on the FixMyStreet Forms platform. The new workflow guides applicants, validates data, and redirects fee payers to Paybylink,...
Data Will Underpin Transport Better Connected Strategy
The UK government unveiled the Better Connected transport strategy, leveraging data to integrate buses, trams and trains with contactless tap‑and‑go travel. A £40 million (≈$51 million) fund will support local authorities testing digital technologies to cut congestion and improve journeys. The plan...
What Impact Does AI Search Have on the User Journey?
The Department for Education reports that AI‑driven search tools like Google’s AI Overviews and Microsoft Copilot are pulling users away from official public‑sector sites. While these assistants deliver faster answers, they often strip away the contextual safeguards and step‑by‑step guidance...
New Government Commercial Agency Launches DOS 7
The Government Commercial Agency (GCA) launched Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7 (DOS 7) shortly after its formation on 1 April, merging the previous DOS 6 and Digital Specialists agreements. DOS 7 uses an open‑framework model that reopens every 18 months, allowing new suppliers to join and...
NCSC Warns of Messaging App Targeting Public Sector
The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned that Russian‑based threat actors are targeting public‑sector personnel through popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger and Signal. High‑risk individuals—those with access to or influence over sensitive information—may face login‑code theft,...
GDS Explores Common Architecture Platform for Councils
The Government Digital Service (GDS) Local team is investigating a shared technical architecture platform for UK councils after finding no common model exists. An expression of interest attracted responses showing 54% of councils already document architecture, largely via spreadsheets, which...
Essex Awards £29m Network Contract to MLL
Essex County Council awarded a £29 million (≈ $36.8 million) managed network services contract to MLL Telecom. The agreement covers roughly 175 sites and serves about 9,000 council staff, public and guest users daily. It aims to modernize the enterprise network for hybrid...
Your Housing Group Integrates Housing and Asset Management
Your Housing Group (YHG) has awarded Infinity Group a £9.15 million (≈ $11.6 million) contract to replace its legacy housing, asset and repairs management software with a single, fully integrated platform. The new system, Infinity’s BRIKHousing, runs on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and consolidates repairs,...
London Care Record Saves Estimated £190m in Time
The London Care Record, launched in 2020 by the OneLondon programme, now underpins more than 100 million care interactions across London and neighboring areas. An independent study estimates it has saved health and social‑care staff roughly £190 million (about $242 million) in time,...
Driver Offender Education Body Gets Major Upgrade
UKROEd has appointed public‑sector IT specialist Cranmore to build a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, a core component of its Management Application (MApp) modernization program. The nonprofit oversees the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme, delivering courses to more than...
Mining Remediation Authority Extends Relationship with CGI
CGI has secured a £20 million (approximately $25 million) contract to support the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) for up to eight more years, extending a 15‑year partnership. The deal makes CGI the MRA’s strategic delivery partner, responsible for the Enterprise Mining Information...
Government Datasets Are Poorly Labelled and Will Fail AI
The Open Data Institute’s four‑month NDL‑Lite prototype scanned more than 100,000 public datasets from six UK sources, exposing pervasive labeling gaps, outdated records, and accessibility hurdles. Notably, a major Home Office crime dataset has not been refreshed since 2018, while...
Cheshire Fire Authority Chooses New Command System
Cheshire Fire Authority has signed a six‑year contract worth £1.11 million (approximately $1.41 million) with Motorola Solutions UK to deliver a new incident command system software. The digital platform will be deployed across the authority’s operations in Warrington, enhancing coordination and decision‑making...
North East Lincolnshire Expands Case Management System
North East Lincolnshire Council has gone live with System C’s Education Case Management Early Years module, extending its digital platform that already supports Children’s and Early Help case management. The new module will run alongside the legacy system for the current...
AI and Standards to Track the Value of Volunteering
The Open Data Institute, Do IT and Team Kinetic, backed by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, have launched a unified open data standard for volunteering opportunities across the United Kingdom, accompanied by an AI‑powered ChatGPT demo tool. The...
AI to Be Traffic Sheriff in Nottingham
Nottingham City Council has awarded Alchera Technologies a contract to build an AI‑powered transport data platform, funded by the Department for Transport’s Future Transport Zones programme. The cloud‑based system will ingest real‑time feeds from sensors, cameras, EV chargers, and public‑transport...
DPA and DSIT Reuse Strategy Reduces Digital Exclusion
The UK’s IT Reuse for Good Charter, a joint effort by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Digital Poverty Alliance and partners, has redistributed more than 22,000 laptops, tablets and smartphones to people in need. The programme targets...
DSIT to Make Identifying Digital Identity Easier
The Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA) is launching UK CertifID, a new trust mark designed to help users instantly recognise government‑approved digital verification services. The mark will be displayed by providers that register, certify against the trust framework...
Social Care Needs to Accelerate Tech Adoption
Adult social care leaders in the UK are urging rapid adoption of technology‑enabled care (TEC) after a PA Consulting and TEC Services Association report. The survey of 79 decision‑makers shows 78% want to accelerate TEC programmes and 96% would redesign...
Data Is Key to Better Decision Making - DBT
The Department for Business and Trade’s data analysis team is central to modernising decision‑making across the department. By cleaning inconsistent device inventories, they enabled a smooth Windows 11 migration, delivering dashboards that matched users to offices and identified laptops for replacement....
OS Backed Emergency Response System to Go Nationwide
The Multi‑Agency Incident Transfer (MAIT) system, built on Ordnance Survey data, is being deployed to every fire and rescue service in England, expanding from the 27 already live users to all 44 by the end of March. MAIT standardises address...
ICO Warns Facial Recognition Technology Must Create Trust
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is intensifying scrutiny of police facial‑recognition systems to ensure they meet data‑protection standards and retain public trust. Research shows the public worries most about accuracy (only 53 % confidence), officer training and bias safeguards. Audits of...
Defra Adopts Content First Approach to Digital Forms
Defra has shifted to a content‑first methodology for its digital form design, prioritizing narrative and structure before visual layout. By drafting plain‑text content and testing it with users early, the team cut prototype cycles and enhanced accessibility for screen‑reader users....
Skills England Develops AI Apprenticeship
Skills England has launched an 18‑month AI and automation practitioner apprenticeship to bridge the UK’s digital skills gap. The programme, co‑designed with employers and major tech firms, trains workers to spot AI‑driven efficiency gains while ensuring safe, bias‑free, and compliant...
SAAS Appoints Valtech and Appian for Modernisation
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) has hired Valtech, with Appian as its platform partner, to replace its ageing core systems and launch a phased service modernisation through 2030. The initiative will deliver a new, scalable case‑management and digital service environment...
Kent County Council Starts Major Tech Tender
Kent County Council has launched a four‑year framework agreement worth up to £900 million (approximately $1.1 billion) to provide multi‑functional devices, digital solutions and inkjet printers to public‑sector organisations. The procurement is split into three lots: Lot 1 (up to £420 million/$512 million) covers printers,...
DESNZ Invests £45 Million in AI Supercomputer
The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is allocating £45 million (about $58 million) to build Sunrise, a 1.4 MW AI‑accelerated supercomputer slated to go live in June 2026 at the UKAEA Culham campus. Delivering up to 6.76 exaflops, Sunrise will become the...
MHCLG Launches Local AI
The UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has launched Local AI, a dedicated team to help councils adopt artificial intelligence responsibly. The initiative targets two pillars: creating reusable AI tools and strengthening data quality, ethics, and security foundations....
Digital Weight Management Passes Beta Test
The NHS England Digital Weight Management Programme has passed its beta assessment with a green rating on all 14 evaluation criteria. It offers a 12‑week, app‑based behavioural intervention for adults with obesity and long‑term conditions, accessible via smartphone, tablet or...
Stockport and Tameside Rollout New EPR Platform
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust have signed ten‑year contracts with Altera Digital Health to deploy a unified electronic patient record (EPR) platform. The new system will replace a patchwork of legacy applications,...
AI Acclerates Migration of Local Land Charges Records
HM Land Registry has launched an AI‑driven tool to speed the migration of Local Land Charges (LLC) records from councils to a central register. In a pilot with Newham, the system digitised textual records in four weeks using four staff,...
East Anglian Fire Services Cloud Platform Goes Live
Fire and rescue services in Norfolk, Suffolk and Hertfordshire have launched Motorola Solutions' cloud‑based Guardian Hub command centre, linking 100 stations and 2.5 million residents. The platform centralises 999 call handling and dispatch while still allowing each service to operate independently,...
Hospital Stays Cut with Digital Planning Tool
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has slashed the average length of stay by five days after rolling out the Alcidion Miya Precision digital patient‑flow platform across seven community hospitals. The first phase introduced digital journey boards that...
New Education Estates Strategy Goes Digital
The UK Department for Education has unveiled a ten‑year Education Estates Strategy backed by £38 billion (≈$48.6 billion) to modernise school and college buildings. Central to the plan is the new Manage Your Education Estate digital service, giving schools self‑assessment tools and...
South West ICBs Adopt New Dental Referral Platform
Seven South West Integrated Care Boards will launch the NEC Rego electronic referral service in 2026, extending to Dorset in 2027. The platform will handle about 160,000 dental referrals annually across 12 pathways, covering 5.5 million residents, 900+ practices and 1,000...
Teachers Need AI Education
University of Reading lecturer Georgia Aspinox warns that many trainee teachers enter the classroom with little understanding of artificial intelligence, despite its growing presence in schools. She highlights the Department for Education’s new AI training resources as a practical solution,...
SAVVI Data Pilot to Identify Vulnerable Residents Earlier
A £1.1 million government‑funded pilot will test the SAVVI and Open Referral UK (ORUK) data standards in Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The standards aim to spot early signs of vulnerability—such as housing instability or health...
Adult Social Care Providers Are Not Using Care Technologies
A Department of Health and Social Care survey shows 27% of adult social care providers in England still use no care technologies, while 73% have adopted at least one tool. Monitoring sensors are the most common (43%), followed by personal...
Home Office Renames Digital, Data and Tech Division
The Home Office has renamed its Digital, Data and Technology division to Home Office Digital, signalling a shift from a support function to a core operational pillar. Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer Rob Thompson highlighted milestones such as 48‑hour...
User Feedback Helps StatsWales to Evolve
Six months after its autumn launch, Wales' new StatsWales open data service has rolled out a suite of user‑driven enhancements. A searchable interface and refined filtering now let users locate and slice datasets faster, while the previous limit on simultaneous...
Get Adult Social Care Data Service Passes First Test
The Department of Health and Social Care’s Get Adult Social Care Data service has cleared its alpha assessment, meeting all 14 Government Digital Service standards. The platform consolidates data from multiple sources to aid local authorities, care providers, researchers, and...
