A new Digital and Information Strategy has been published for the UK Parliament, including plans to explore the use of new technologies and adopt a framework of functional standards.
The Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) has developed the strategy, which replaces and builds on a digital strategy published in 2022.
It is based on two priorities – to provide reliable digital services and treat data and information as a vital asset – and 11 objectives.
These include embedding digital and data into the operation model of Parliament, through steps such as exploring the opportunities of using new technologies, including AI. This relates to looking for innovation in digital and data and alternative methods of delivering in operations and the commercial model.
Another is to set clear standards for digital, data and information, using existing standards published by the Government Digital Service and other public sector bodies. This will be supported by a robust governance framework and include a review of relevant digital, data and information security policies.
Several objectives
The other objectives are to: enable a user-centred way of working; connect information and data across Parliament; manage them responsibly; continue to reduce legacy technology; enable measurement of corporate performance; develop Parliament’s data and digital capabilities and culture; maximise the potential of information and data; keep Parliament cyber-secure; and improve the security of its information.
The PDS said the strategy is owned by the Information and Digital Board but has been developed with leaders and experts from across Parliament.
In a blogpost announcing the strategy, CIO of the PDS Dan Cook said: “This is a huge milestone for us. It’s the first time Parliament has brought together its strategic ambitions for information, data and digital into one strategy, recognising that we cannot do any one of these, without the others.”
He added: “Perhaps the most important factor in making any strategy a success is ensuring everyone is fully engaged with it. At Parliament, this means everyone across both Houses and supporting departments understanding the work we’re doing to make the strategy a success and how they can contribute in their role.”
