Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Digital Technology

Thursday 11 June 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have implemented the technology code of practice and service standard to improve digital technology use across Departments.
  • The Minister thanked Jen Allum and her gov.uk team for their work during the crisis.
  • The Minister highlighted the opportunity for the UK in moving quickly to cashless transactions and digital government services.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Griffith Con Crewe and Nantwich
Science & Technology
Context

Inquiry about steps taken by the government to improve digital services during a crisis.

Question

What steps has his Department taken to enhance the Government's use of digital technology?

Answer from Chloe Smith (Minister for Policing and the Criminal Justice System)

The Government have implemented the technology code of practice and service standard, which provides Departments with technical support and case studies to improve how they design, build and buy digital technology to give citizens the best services. The Government Digital Service is also building digital capacity through the Digital Academy and applying the innovation that we might find in the private sector at public sector scale through the GovTech Catalyst fund, to support the use of emerging technologies.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Griffith Con Crewe and Nantwich
Economy Taxation
Context

Recognition of the gov.uk team's work during a crisis and inquiry about opportunities for economic growth through digital advancements.

Question

I thank my hon. Friend for her reply, and I add my thanks to the amazing work that Jen Allum and her gov.uk team have done during this crisis. Does my hon. Friend agree that there is a huge opportunity in the fact that the UK has moved quickly to cashless transactions and digital government, and that as we move beyond this crisis, it is important that we do not regress and that we unleash the opportunity for economic growth?

Answer from Chloe Smith (Minister for Policing and the Criminal Justice System)

Yes, I do, and there are two points to make here. First, the Government have taken unprecedented steps to support the economy through the immediate crisis, looking towards a strong and sustainable recovery. Secondly, I think we all recognise that digital payments have positively transformed the way that many people buy things and transact, and we are committed to supporting those payments while protecting access to cash for those who need it.

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