13
Accepted
As confirmed in January 2025’s Blueprint for modern digital government policy paper, cross-government digital leadership...
Conclusion
As confirmed in January 2025’s Blueprint for modern digital government policy paper, cross-government digital leadership now resides with DSIT.32 The blueprint included a plan to raise the status of the Government Chief Digital Officer to second permanent secretary-level. DSIT told us that it has now replaced the Government Chief Digital Officer, who was responsible for all the digital work within the GDS, with two new directors general posts. One of these is the director-general for digital products who is responsible for the various products that GDS builds and runs itself; the other is the director-general for digital transformation who is responsible for the architecture that supports other government departments to deliver their digital programmes (including progressing the digital profession, improving data and promoting the use of AI).33 Neither role of director-general for digital transformation or director-general for digital products has been filled permanently, although interim appointments were made to both posts in January 2026.34 28 Committee of Public Accounts, Government services: identifying costs, Fifty-Eighth report of session 2024–26. HC 1421, 12 December 2025, Conclusion 5 29 Qq 45-46 30 Qq 33 and 45-46 31 Q 46 32 DSIT, A blueprint for modern digital government, CP 1252, January 2025 33 Q 86 34 Emily Middleton has been appointed as interim DG for digital and Christine Bellamy has been appointed as interim DG for digital products 13 Sharing data effectively across government
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee's observation, stating the recommendation has been implemented. It confirms that DSIT’s Permanent Secretary now leads the digital and data profession and function, supported by two directors-general, thereby embedding digital leadership at the top level.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.7 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.8 The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) Permanent Secretary has taken on leadership of the digital and data profession and function. For the first time, this gives digital and data a clear seat at the top table alongside other Heads of Department. Within DSIT, two directors-general report into the DSIT permanent secretary with responsibility for supporting digital transformation across government and the digital products GDS builds and runs. 3.9. The DSIT Permanent Secretary is supported by departmental DG-level Chief Digital and Information Officers acting as Deputy Heads of Function, who work collectively through the Digital Executive Committee, which is chaired by the DSIT Permanent Secretary, to consider shared priorities across departments, including leadership, talent and capability. This leadership model reflects that departments own their transformation journeys, and the centre’s role is to support and enable them. The department is confident this deliberately whole-of-government approach, complimented by digital business reviews with Permanent Secretary colleagues to review progress and look at where further action may be needed, gives government the leadership it needs to deliver on its digital ambitions.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
75th Report - Government use of data analytics on error and fraud
27 Mar 2026
HC 891
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.3 yrs
Report published
27 Mar 2026