A report claims the UK Government has only half the digital, data and technology professionals it needs, with “particularly chilling shortages” in cyber-security. Photo: File.
United Kingdom legislators have warned that the digital transformation of the country’s Public Service is being hampered by job cuts and uncompetitive pay.
A report by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says the Government has only half the digital, data and technology professionals it needs, with “particularly chilling shortages” in cyber-security.
“The shortage of digital expertise means the Government is unable to genuinely transform its services, and can make only superficial, incremental upgrades,” the report states.
“This risks increased costs in the long run as the Government is forced to rely on ageing legacy systems.”
Chair of the PAC, Dame Meg Hillier said just four per cent of Public Servants were classed as digital professionals, compared with an average of eight-to-12 per cent in other sectors of the workforce.
The committee found the Government had “self-inflicted” part of the shortfall through staffing cuts.
Dame Meg said the Government talked of its ambitions for digital transformation and efficiency, while actively cutting the very roles which could help achieve them.
Meanwhile, an independent investigation into the Border Force’s ability to identify and respond to corruption among its own staff has found its work was hampered by “confused” Public Service leadership structures, while poor pay and a lack of engagement were acting as a breeding ground for criminal behaviour.
Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal’s investigation into so-called ‘insider threats’ focused on the risk that an unscrupulous minority of Border Force staff could abuse their access to data, property, and contraband to commit criminal acts.
The investigation was conducted between January and March and its findings were presented to Home Secretary, Suella Braverman at the end of May. However, Mr Neal’s report has only just been published — and in redacted form.
Mr Neal found that leadership structures for addressing insider threats were found to be confused, with complex inter-relationships and unclear lines of accountability between numerous organisations and Agencies.
London, 15 September 2023
