The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has today announced, following an Independent Review, that she has accepted recommendations to create a single new digital function within DWP. This will bring together colleagues from BPDTS and DWP Digital.
The news follows the conclusion of a Tailored Review into BPDTS, which is a standard review process during the lifetime of every arm's length body. The review strongly commended BPDTS's performance and contribution to DWP, citing its successful operational performance, quality of leadership and overall calibre of people. It found strong evidence of BPDTS's contribution to improving the resilience of DWP's technology and bringing new capabilities into the department.
The joining of these 2 functions will create a simpler, stronger digital offering which is greater than the sum of its 2 parts. It will better equip the department to deliver its strategic goals of joined-up customer journeys across digital-first channels. The aim is for this to happen on 1 July 2021.
This will also strengthen the Digital, Data and Technology profession in government, supporting the Government Transformation Strategy's ambition to 'have one of the most digitally skilled populations of civil servants in the world'.
Loveday Ryder, CEO of BPDTS, comments,
Despite existing as 2 separate functions since our inception, we have been united in our common goals, our work ethic and our desire to make a difference through digital. Our commitment is the same - to deliver better services for 85,000 DWP colleagues and 20 million customers.
We will be working alongside our colleagues in DWP Digital and in wider DWP to make this vision of united digital excellence a reality. Now more than ever, digital services need to be quicker, simpler and offer the best user experience possible. Continuing to make the most of the digital expertise BPDTS has as part of a new super-function offers a truly exciting opportunity.
When talking about today's announcement, Jeremy Moore, Chair of the BPDTS Board, added
I and my fellow Board Directors are incredibly proud of what BPDTS has achieved. Our people now have the opportunity to join with their DWP colleagues to help build a new digital function, to use their specialist digital skills and so support many millions of people across the UK, many of whom may be at a critical juncture in their life
