Recommendation 14

Government’s central digital functions are relatively immature. Government only created the Central Digital and Data Office this year and set up the other central functions within the last decade. The Cabinet Office told us that they have started to strengthen central oversight of digital programmes, but we do not yet see a similar degree of oversight and control as established institutions such as HM Treasury exercise over the way departments manage their finances.36 Government operations are broad and complex, and departments are responsible for their own digital programmes, operating in a federated manner. This presents a significant challenge to putting in place common approaches.37