Title

WHITEHALL

Digital standards drive launched

New standards designed to improve the quality of council services delivered digitally will be launched at the end of this month.

New standards designed to improve the quality of council services delivered digitally will be launched at the end of this month.

They have been modelled on the Government's 18-point Digital Service Standard and a draft is currently out to consultation.

It is hoped that all local authorities will sign up to the standards, which will cover the increasing number of digital services they now deliver, such as paying council tax bills online.

Speaking yesterday, Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock said: ‘Digital services are transforming the way we deliver services and interact with citizens.

‘Local government is often at the forefront of these interactions so it is important the councils continue to embrace digital.

‘The Government Digital Service will continue to work together with councils to create better local services for people across the UK.'

Comments on the draft standard can be made via this link.

WHITEHALL

Essex threatens legal action over reorganisation

By Martin Ford | 26 March 2026

Essex CC is looking to mount a legal challenge to the Government's decision to reorganise the county into five unitary authorities.

WHITEHALL

Reducing reliance on temporary housing

By Naisha Polaine | 26 March 2026

Councils are still placing record numbers into short-term housing, but local authorities like Barnet LBC are now attempting to take back some control, explai...

WHITEHALL

Bringing skills from the private sector into a council isn't simply a career shift

By Libby Caulfield | 26 March 2026

Moving to local government after a 10-year career in consultancy, Libby Caulfield was warned the pace was slow and transformation impossible. She found the r...

WHITEHALL

Building organisations, not just structures

By Matthew Jones | 26 March 2026

Jason Wheatley, George Agyemang and Matthew Jones say the right balance of early investment in the right talent, smart use of interims and appropriate cultur...

Popular articles by MJ reporter