Working in the open to build better digital services and public trust
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is designing tools and standards for service teams to work openly and help users understand how data and algorithms are used in public services.
Our goal
Citizens and users of government services can access transparent data and information about the public services they use.
What this means for you
This initiative does not cover the whole UK. Whether it applies depends on the service and where it is available. The Devolved Governments decide how it will apply in their area.
- Transparent view: you’ll be able to see a clearer view of the products and services we’re working on. In addition, you can understand how and why government is using algorithmic tools, including AI, to deliver better public services for you.
- Faster improvements: because teams share their work and fix problems faster, services are more reliable and easier for you to use.
- Open working: if you work in the public sector, you’ll be supported to work in the open by sharing plans, learning from others and showing the impact of your work. You’ll have access to clear standards, a shared catalogue of services and tools to document how your work uses data and algorithms.
Our progress so far
March 2025: shared best practice and learning to improve public services at Services Week
Services Week is an opportunity to share, learn and collaborate with the aim of transforming lives through high quality, technology-powered services. This year celebrated the launch of the new digital centre of government and provided digital and data professionals with an opportunity to showcase their work to people across the public sector.
March 2025: celebrated public sector transformation at Innovation 2025
Innovation 2025 took place over 2 days and brought together public sector leaders driving transformation initiatives to share insights on accelerating public sector delivery.
May 2025: launched new Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS)
Developed and launched a new iteration of the ATRS, a standardised way for public sector organisations to publish information about how and why they’re using algorithmic tools to support decisions in a complete, open, understandable, easily-accessible and free format. In this time, we reached over 70 records published on GOV.UK.
June 2025: defined our approach for the new service inventory
GDS agreed a shared approach for redesigning the cross-government service inventory. This centrally supported catalogue provides a comprehensive view of all existing government services, helping us see where we can join them up and make them simpler for you to use. The approach includes integrating it with existing quality checks, such as service assessments, to ensure we’re capturing as full a picture as possible across government and improving where it matters most, at your point of need.
July 2025: started ATRS engagement campaign with public bodies
Started our campaign to provide tailored support sessions to help public bodies map their algorithmic tools and create records, helping to increase adoption across the sector.
December 2025: departments publish records about their in-scope algorithmic tools
Published records for all currently identified in-scope algorithmic tools (as of March 2025) in government departments (not including ALBs) by the end of 2025. This gives us a full picture of how data and algorithms are used in central government services and will encourage these teams to adopt ATRS within their ways of working.
What we’re planning to do next
January 2026: make service health metrics visible in the service inventory
All services that have completed an assessment or that report ‘health metrics’ will be added to the central service inventory. This will help create a single, consistent view of government services.
March 2026: start sharing product roadmaps publicly
GDS will lead by example to begin publishing roadmaps for major products. This aims to establish a common practice and encourage open and joined-up working across digital government.
March 2026: evaluate impact of ATRS records on public trust
GDS will analyse published records to determine how well ATRS records increase public understanding of, and trust in, government’s use of algorithmic tools. This will provide insights to inform the future of public reporting and transparency around algorithmic tools.
March 2026: implement ‘Trust by Design’ approach to ethical data sharing
GDS will introduce a ‘Trust by Design’ approach to give public sector organisations the confidence and knowledge to share data securely.
More information
For more information, contact:
Algorithmic Transparency Team
Government Digital Service
algorithmic-transparency@dsit.gov.uk
You can also visit the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard Hub.