We have reported previously that there is a large gap between the demand and supply of the digital specialists that government needs.24 We found that government is yet to make meaningful progress overcoming this long-standing challenge, which often leaves it reliant on contractors.25 We pressed the Department on this point and they concurred that the availability of technology skills continues to be a problem for the whole UK economy. We heard from the Department that its current digital work...

We have reported previously that there is a large gap between the demand and supply of the digital specialists that government needs.24 We found that government is yet to make meaningful progress overcoming this long-standing challenge, which often leaves it reliant on contractors.25 We pressed the Department on this point and they concurred that the availability of technology skills continues to be a problem for the whole UK economy. We heard from the Department that its current digital workforce is a mixture of civilian, contractor, and military personnel and that it draws on a range of commercial and academic partners to supplement this.26 Type: conclusion | Number: 10 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 3. PAC conclusion: The department faces a considerable challenge to recruit the specialist digital skills that its strategy relies on. 3. PAC recommendation: In its update to us in six months, the department should also set out how it has changed its approach to