Is Britain's public sector building digital foundations fit for the next decade — or racing to catch up with them? 

The UK public sector now spends over £26 billion a year on digital technology, with AI investment set to reach roughly £2 billion by 2029/30 and £2.6 billion committed to cybersecurity. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 has reshaped how departments handle data and automated decision-making, with key provisions now in force, while the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is progressing through Parliament, extending statutory security duties to managed service providers and data infrastructure for the first time. Yet the latest State of Digital Government Review found a quarter of government services still "outdated" and nearly half of central government services undigitised. 

That gap defines the sector's challenge. Legacy systems and siloed data continue to slow delivery. Cyber threats are growing more sophisticated, particularly across supply chains. Skills shortages make it harder to translate national AI and data strategy into operational reality, and public trust depends on getting the balance between innovation and safeguards right. 

The Institute of Government & Public Policy’s The Future of Government Technology Show in central London will bring together senior leaders from central government, local authorities, the NHS, and the wider public sector, alongside industry innovators. This event will explore how national strategy translates into local delivery, with a focus on regional innovation, collaboration, and practical implementation.