Oral Answers to Questions

Chloe Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 9th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Robert Halfon]

My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that we are doing a lot from the centre to encourage Departments to support better the needs of Welsh language speakers. Earlier this year, together with the Wales Office, we conducted user research into their needs, and as a result we are helping Departments to identify a set of Welsh language end-to-end user journeys, such as online self-assessment, that could be better supported by gov.uk.

[Chloe Smith (Norwich North) (Con)]

3. What plans he has to improve co-operation between Government Departments on the use of digital technology.

[Chris White (Warwick and Leamington) (Con)]

9. What plans he has to improve co-operation between Government Departments on the use of digital technology.

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Matthew Hancock)]

The UK has made great strides in digital government, but there is much more to do if we are to remain world beating. We set aside a total of almost £2 billion in the spending review for work to be led by the Government Digital Service to make this happen.

[Chloe Smith]

I agree that Departments must work together to enable people to use digital technology safely and efficiently, but will the Minister also give an example of how Government are working together to meet increased demand for cyber-security, including by engaging with citizens and businesses?

[Matthew Hancock]

Alongside digital transformation, it is vital that we have secure online activity, and our almost doubling of the budget for cyber-security over the Parliament will be a vital part of protecting not only Government services but the whole of the UK to ensure that people are safe online.