Key components of the UK government's digital strategy (2016-2020)
The UK government is set to embark on a transformative journey, shaping a long-term digital strategy that aims to position the nation as a global leader in the digital age. This strategy will encompass leveraging core competencies, fostering infrastructure, nurturing talent, and building sustainability for future growth.
At the heart of this strategy lies the commitment to educate every UK citizen in digital literacy from a young age, extending throughout their academic and vocational journeys. This education will empower individuals to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and proficiency.
To streamline digital business support, the government has launched the Digital Business Growth Service on business.gov.uk. This platform offers simplified access to resources, advice, and support tailored for scaling digital enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
Cultural and skills development will be driven by long-term initiatives, aiming to bring about behavioural change, cultural shifts, and skill-building programmes. The SME Digital Adoption Taskforce advocates for scalable online platforms delivering targeted, practical training and guidance to build digital maturity and capability across all sectors.
A robust regulatory framework is crucial to support innovation and public trust. The UK Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, for instance, strengthens data accessibility, security, and public trust, underpinning innovation in sectors like financial services and positioning the UK as a global tech hub.
Engagement with industry and SMEs is another key component. Programmes such as techUK’s Central Government Programme facilitate market engagement, advocacy for govtech, and collaboration that can accelerate digital transformation in the public sector and beyond, benefiting the broader economy.
The UK's long-term competitive strategy will leverage all investments and know-how in digital to create clear lines of differentiation. Digital leaders, including civil servants, MPs, and charity workers, will be promoted based on competency and acumen, not beauty, charm, or politics.
In this strategic journey, no sector will be left behind. The benefits of the digital strategy will be realised by all, ensuring that all boats rise accordingly. Hype is not of value in any digital strategy; the execution is critical.
The UK government has invited ideas for the next phase of the digital revolution, reflecting the global embrace of digital transformation by central governments worldwide. As benefits from digital manifest over the long term, incremental in terms of benefits and sources of competitive advantage, the UK aims to create a national culture that embraces digital in all sectors of government, commerce, and non-profit.
Grandiose predictions as to the impact of outcomes or capabilities are not needed in a digital strategy. Instead, the UK government plans to invest heavily in education, leadership development, infrastructure, and culture to create sustainable sources of competitive advantage in all things digital. 'Digital' encompasses all disciplines in respect to embracing the web, data, and analytics.
Ultimately, the UK aims to create a competitive strategy to capture inordinate levels of external investment and develop the greatest talent pool in all sectors, baking digital into every aspect of its long-term strategy to make it a sustainable source of competitive advantage.
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