Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 1 April (HL5869), and in the light of the requirements of the Government Efficiency Framework, published 19 July 2023, whether they will publish (1) the full disaggregated breakdown of the £45 billion estimate in annual savings and productivity benefits by department and public body; (2) the corresponding cash-releasing and non-cash-releasing savings; and (3) the estimated investment required to achieve these savings.

Details on the £45 billion figure were published as part of the State of Digital government review. The £45 billion figure referenced reflects an estimate of potential long-term annual benefits from digital transformation across the public sector, covering simplifying and automating routine tasks, shifting transactions to cheaper digital channels, and reducing fraud and error. Estimates include both cash-releasing and non-cash-releasing benefits. The estimate is designed to highlight the value at stake and not to inform specific organisational implementation through disaggregation. The Government Efficiency Framework (GEF) does not require savings estimates to be disaggregated or published. Any implementation of projects to deliver this value will require further departmental analysis and appraisal, including cost and benefit realisation in accordance with the Green Book.