UK’s Tech Secretary Calls for Global Giants to Modernize Public Services
In a bold move to modernize the United Kingdom’s public sector, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has urged global technology companies to bring their most innovative solutions and competitive pricing to the UK. Speaking at the Google Cloud Summit in London, Kyle emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming public services through smart technology adoption.
Kyle’s message to tech giants was clear: “Bring us your best ideas, your best tech at your best price, and you will get access to the biggest client in the country.” This initiative aims to leverage the UK’s extensive public sector market to drive innovation and improve public services.
Over the past six months, Kyle has engaged in 28 meetings with major tech firms, including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Google—a 70% increase compared to his predecessor. He defended these meetings, stating, “Yes, I’ve met tech companies. That’s how you deliver value for the public. That’s how you unlock innovation.”
A significant outcome of these discussions is a new partnership with Google Cloud, focused on modernizing outdated “ball and chain” legacy systems that burden over 25% of public sector technology. In some sectors, such as the NHS and police forces, this figure rises to 70%. The partnership is expected to result in hundreds of millions of pounds in investment, aiming to reduce the estimated £21 billion wasted on obsolete contracts.
Kyle also highlighted other advancements, including the launch of the GOV.UK app and the National Digital Marketplace, a new procurement platform for the public sector. He expressed optimism about transforming essential public services through smart technology adoption, stating, “Britain will be using technology in more areas and more than ever … .”
Source: TechRadar
Date Published: 2025-07-10
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