Creating common systems and platforms for all of government to use
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is creating secure, reusable systems that the whole of government can use to build strong and sustainable digital services. We’re introducing clear guidance so service teams can focus on solving real problems for users, without worrying about the tools or platforms they will need.
Our goal
Service teams across the public sector can access the reusable systems and components they need to deliver secure, modern and sustainable services, quickly and easily.
What this means for you
Some projects within this initiative do not cover the whole UK. Whether they apply depends on the service and where it is available. The Devolved Governments decide how it will apply in their area.
- Greater consistency and reliability: strong shared infrastructure and more consistent standards will support improved delivery across public services.
- Improved accessibility: services will be designed to be easier to use and access for everyone.
- Better strategic direction: if you work in the public sector, you’ll have the direction and mandate you need to work more effectively and sustainably.
Our progress so far
February 2025: set up the Technical Design Council
Made up of technical experts from different parts of the public sector, the council meets every month. They discuss and provide strategic direction on shared public sector strategies and technical solutions.
August 2025: launched ‘Digital Backbone’ Design Partners community
The Design Partners represent the public sector’s voice to inform how we design the ‘Digital Backbone’ – the delivery of the technical foundations that connects UK public services, communities, and improves public sector access to the UK’s rich market of digital services providers. They represent local authorities, departments, arms-length bodies, government agencies, emergency services and the NHS. They will help us design solutions that address the sector’s needs by sharing insights about their experiences of digital infrastructure.
What we’re planning to do next
February 2026: launch hackathon programme
GDS will bring together technologists from across the public sector to design rapid, collaborative solutions to common technical problems faced by real teams. This will encourage innovation and allow us to experiment with a wide range of ideas quickly and at a low cost.
March 2026: publish cross-government digital sustainability strategy
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will publish a new strategy for ensuring government’s digital services are sustainable, efficient and circular by design. This will allow us to minimise the environmental impacts of digital government and support the UK’s growing digital sustainability sector. GDS will strengthen existing sustainability guidance in the Service Standard and Service Manual, building on DEFRA’s work.
March 2026: define core data standards for interoperability and AI
GDS will mandate API adoption across the public sector and define core data standards, starting with the core attributes of a person, to enable secure, joined-up services and AI innovation. These standards will be shared via internal.gov.uk to support collaboration and reuse.
June 2026: design a secure platform for public sector collaboration
To help people work openly across the public sector, GDS will provide a new platform, internal.gov.uk, for people who work in the public sector to connect via instant messaging functionality, forums and a secure code repository. By providing a platform for stronger collaboration, this will enable more secure, high-quality and joined-up public services.
July 2026: publish national cloud strategy
Since 2013, the Government Cloud First policy has required all public sector organisations to use public cloud services as their first choice when buying IT. GDS will build on this landmark policy by introducing a new strategy for all sectors to make the most of the cloud as a national asset. Through guiding principles, this strategy will help to drive economic growth and innovation and support secure, resilient and sustainable public services.
December 2026: publish UK government cloud playbook
This new collection will update and expand cloud guidance for the public sector, including new areas and priorities like sustainability, cost optimisation and improved financial operations (FinOps) on cloud investments. This will help public sector organisations assess their progress towards the Cloud First Policy and identify how they can use cloud technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs and maximise the value of cloud investment.
More information
For more information about this work, contact:
Digital Backbone Team
Government Digital Service
digital-backbone@dsit.gov.uk
Cloud and Platforms Team
Government Digital Service
cloud-strategy@dsit.gov.uk