On 22 November we launched GDS Local: a new specialist unit in the Government Digital Service (GDS) focused on working with and alongside local government to deliver the ambitions we set out in the blueprint for a modern digital government.
Historically, there has been limited engagement between GDS and local authorities in transformation efforts. The blueprint for a modern digital government represents a new chapter - one that recognises digital transformation must work across all levels of government to truly serve citizens. That’s why GDS Local is focused on digital collaboration between central and local government, ensuring local needs are reflected in national digital strategy and delivery.
The challenge for local government
Local authorities deliver services that people use day in and day out. When people interact with the government, it's very often through their local council. People’s expectations of services are rightly high. However, councils are limited by a local government technology market that doesn’t support their needs. Local councils across the UK are demonstrating the power of digital innovation by using AI tools and creating services that deliver better outcomes for residents. For example:
- Hertfordshire has developed a robot that repairs road damage before potholes form, working with the University of Liverpool;
- North Yorkshire’s use of AI to help social care workers manage case notes, forms and assessments
- Swindon uses AI to make complex documents accessible for people with learning disabilities;
- Westminster’s ReportIT service identifies fly-tipping and other street issues from photos in under 60 seconds.
Other councils are harnessing data to protect residents:
- Northumberland’s Flood AI provides early flood warnings;
- London’s scaled deployment of sensors in homes to take swift action on damp and mould
- Maidstone and Kent’s platform predicts homelessness risk months in advance, cutting cases by 40%;
- Newham is partnering with the University of East London to improve temporary housing management.
These approaches are ready to expand to other regions and, with the right support, could transform communities everywhere. The State of Digital Government Review found £45 billion per year of unrealised productivity benefits across the public sector, with a substantial portion in local government.
The opportunity for transformation
Our engagement with over 300 local government digital practitioners between January and April 2025 confirmed the desire for digital transformation and leadership across local government, but also the need for the right platforms, partnerships, and support. The Local Government Association’s successful AI network already demonstrates the power of collaboration and shared expertise.
GDS Local will be the strategic link between local government and the digital centre, working with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) - building on the foundations already laid by the Local Digital team and the new Artificial Intelligence Directorate - and the Local Government Association (LGA) to give local government teams the support they need to focus on what they do best: understanding local needs and designing services that work for their communities.
This isn't about imposing central government solutions, but about collaboratively extending proven platforms and expertise: bringing in the invaluable skills and experience local government teams bring to the table and addressing problems at scale that individual councils cannot resolve alone.
Alongside this, we are already strengthening collaboration through initiatives like the Government Digital and Data Hub - a new online space bringing together learning, careers, collaboration and community for digital and data professionals across the UK public sector, including in local government. The Hub provides access to world-class learning opportunities, from cutting-edge AI courses to insightful webinars and certifications that build skills and confidence - including flagship programmes such as Get Tech Certified. It supports our shared ambition to grow a more connected, capable and confident digital workforce across central and local government, improving services for the people we serve.
The newly established GDS Local will address specific challenges in 3 critical areas:
- Developing a strategic vision for local government technology: We’ll work with the MHCLG, the LGA, and local government practitioners to co-create a vision for local government technology that includes shared products and components. This will create the foundations for a new, joined-up approach to buying, including IT market reform, and building technology that aligns with the goals of the blueprint for modern digital government.
- Unlocking local data potential: In collaboration with partners, we'll work to break down barriers to data sharing across services. This means teams can better access the data they need to make informed decisions, identify trends and demonstrate impact. Picture housing teams having seamless access to relevant health and social care data to better support vulnerable residents, while maintaining appropriate privacy safeguards.
- Making GDS products available: We are starting the journey of making more GDS products and platforms actively available to local authorities. This brings opportunities to simplify access to services through GOV.UK app and GOV.UK OneLogin, as well as other GDS components. This could mean residents using a single sign-on and identity verification service to access both central and local government services, dramatically reducing form-filling and repeat verification.
What to expect in the coming months
This new team, working closely with the LGA, MHCLG, and councils will help identify future needs and ensure local government is part of our innovation pipeline. We've already started with pilots of Minute and Extract in i.AI, MHCLG's discovery work on GOV.UK One Login, and by the end of the year we’ll start work with councils to identify the top use cases for GOV.UK app. This will mean a more seamless way for citizens to access local services directly.
We’ll also be hosting webinars and workshops to engage with councils and technology vendors, co-designing a strategic vision that will act as a template for a local government technology stack capable of delivering modern public services, which you can read more about here.
We strive to be collaborative, innovative, and catalytic in tackling real challenges faced by citizens. Our approach includes a range of initiatives, such as engagement forums and hackathons, to generate solutions in real time. Building on the success of our first local innovation hackathon earlier this year, we are excited to hold a second event on 26–27 November, focused on homelessness, rough sleeping and temporary accommodation.
When GDS and local government work together effectively, we can overcome individual technical barriers, giving local teams more time to improve the vital services communities rely on.
For local councils
If you work for a local council and want to get in touch, contact us at GDSLocal-info@dsit.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can register your interest to hear more by completing this form.
1 comment
Comment by john mortimer posted on
Thats interesting and helpful. To assist in working with local government, it might be helpful to first understand the mind and challenges of council decision-makers. One perspective might be that this would have to include their current view of digital. Much of that view then is influenced by the poor impact of previous technology imposed on councils. These include CRM, digital centralisation, and 'digital by default', and the mindset of those that have promoted these.
I have found that in working in local government, it is important to recognise and learn from such initiatives; to help avoid making the same mistakes again, and to truly align with decision-making and the priorities with the future of local government, which arguably lie in Relational public sector principles, design and practices.