GOV.UK teams to focus on quarterly missions
Further development of the GOV.UK platform is to be carried out in a series of missions lasting no longer than 11 weeks.
A blogpost from the team within the Government Digital Services said that each mission would have a specific goal, and that any theme extending over a year could be broken down for an iterative approach, leaving scope to change direction or stop.
“We believe this length of time is sufficient to deliver the most value,” it says. “We feel this structure allows us to build and develop products to a stable state, in a responsible way.”
Biometrics ethics group looks for members
The Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group, a non-departmental public body providing independent advice to the Home Office, is recruiting new members.
The Home Office said the group, established earlier this year, has a remit to expand on that of its predecessor body the National DNA Database (NDNAD) Ethics Group (EG). It will provide ministers and the Home Office with independent ethical advice on all aspects of biometrics and forensics that fall within the purview of the Home Office.
The group wants to recruit members from a variety of professions, including genetics, forensic science, biometric data, data protection, the police, social science, political science, medical science and law.
DCMS commissions cyber economy survey
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has commissioned a survey on the outlook for the UK’s cyber security sector.
It said the research, with the survey to run until 31 August, will feed into government policy and how it can support growth in the sector.
The economic consulting team at auditor and consultancy RSM is to carry out the research, which should produce estimates of the sector’s revenue, employment and contribution to the UK economy. It will be carried out in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre for Security Information Technology (CIST).
Sarah Wilkinson moves into NHS Digital role
Sarah Wilkinson has taken up her position, announced in April, as chief executive of NHS Digital. She has taken over from Rob Shaw, who acted as interim chief executive for six months.
"This is a key time for the organisation as it becomes Fit for 2020 and I look forward to building on the strong foundations laid down over the last year, improving public access to data and modernising the way health and care is accessed and delivered," Wilkinson said.
Image from Jan Kalab, CC BY 2.0 through flickr
