70% of government bodies responding to the NAO’s survey identified difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff with AI skills as a barrier to AI adoption.31 In January 2025, the government’s State of digital government review set out the digital and data skills challenge faced by government, reporting difficulties in recruitment (around 50% of roles advertised in civil service digital and data campaigns in 2024 were unfilled), pay levels that were uncompetitive with the private sector, suc...

70% of government bodies responding to the NAO’s survey identified difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff with AI skills as a barrier to AI adoption.31 In January 2025, the government’s State of digital government review set out the digital and data skills challenge faced by government, reporting difficulties in recruitment (around 50% of roles advertised in civil service digital and data campaigns in 2024 were unfilled), pay levels that were uncompetitive with the private sector, such as a 35% pay gap between public and private sector technical architects (equivalent to £30,000 per year), and the need for more technical roles within Type: conclusion | Number: 14 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 3. PAC conclusion: There are persistent digital skills shortages in the public sector and DSIT’s plans to address the skills gap may not be enough. 3. PAC recommendation: DSIT and Cabinet Office should write to the committee alongside publication of the Digital an