Jerry Fishenden
@ntouk.bsky.social
Technologist, writer, composer. Government advisor. FIET & WGGB. London & Lerwick. Blogging at https://ntouk.wordpress.com. Latest book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F23N7WSS
Pinned
Jerry Fishenden
@ntouk.bsky.social
· Aug 30
Digital Government and e-Government Archives
This is a living, curated list of documents and links related to UK Government e-government and digital government initiatives since the early 1990s. More will be added as and when time allows. Wherev...
ntouk.wordpress.com
Here's my regular reminder about the 'Digital Government and e-Government Archives' — my attempt to curate the major digital government initiatives of the past three or so decades ... all ideas for additions and improvements always welcome
A most enjoyable @computerweekly.bsky.social 60th anniversary event yesterday — here’s to the next 60! 🍾
September 30, 2026 at 8:08 AM
A most enjoyable @computerweekly.bsky.social 60th anniversary event yesterday — here’s to the next 60! 🍾
a brief look at what went wrong with data in government and a few ideas that might help get it back into a better place
what went wrong with data in the UK government — and how we fix it
Trusted digital identity, digital wallets, and verifiable credentials provide an ideal catalyst to rethink, simplify, and improve how both the public and private sectors access and use high quality da...
ntouk.wordpress.com
September 25, 2026 at 9:49 AM
a brief look at what went wrong with data in government and a few ideas that might help get it back into a better place
"despite decades of grand political announcements, government remains trapped in a 'doom loop' of digitisation without transformation"
Why government “digital transformation” fails … according to Gemini
I asked Google’s Gemini to use the Digital Government Archives—a record of UK digital government initiatives since around 1994—to answer the question “what are the top lessons governmen…
ntouk.wordpress.com
September 10, 2026 at 12:22 PM
"despite decades of grand political announcements, government remains trapped in a 'doom loop' of digitisation without transformation"
NAO "lessons learned" review of digital identity has just landed
Managing digital identity - NAO insight
Lessons learned for government from UK and international experience for developing digital identity services across public services.
www.nao.org.uk
September 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM
NAO "lessons learned" review of digital identity has just landed
Reposted by Jerry Fishenden
It’s really important that independent organisations can hold Government to account. I’m on the Board of @nao.org.uk which does this and we are looking for two new Board members. Could you help spread the word so we can get the best possible field of candidates
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
August 24, 2026 at 5:02 PM
It’s really important that independent organisations can hold Government to account. I’m on the Board of @nao.org.uk which does this and we are looking for two new Board members. Could you help spread the word so we can get the best possible field of candidates
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
Byte Magazine lives! Such a brilliant computing magazine for digital natives & hackers in its heyday. And now here’s a zoomable map of every page of every issue from 1975 to 1998 + a search feature
byte.tsundoku.io
byte.tsundoku.io
Byte - a visual archive
byte.tsundoku.io
August 18, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Byte Magazine lives! Such a brilliant computing magazine for digital natives & hackers in its heyday. And now here’s a zoomable map of every page of every issue from 1975 to 1998 + a search feature
byte.tsundoku.io
byte.tsundoku.io
Important article in the FT by Jim Waterson on “How Burnham can curb Britain’s tax-dodging shops” pointing out, amongst many other important points, how easily “identity” can be gamed
www.ft.com/content/936c...
www.ft.com/content/936c...
How Burnham can curb Britain’s tax-dodging shops
The prime minister is missing a simple trick in his campaign to revive high streets: enforcing the basic laws of doing business
www.ft.com
August 15, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Important article in the FT by Jim Waterson on “How Burnham can curb Britain’s tax-dodging shops” pointing out, amongst many other important points, how easily “identity” can be gamed
www.ft.com/content/936c...
www.ft.com/content/936c...
The Economist’s “revelation” that AI assisted complaints and appeals are overwhelming the public sector isn’t exactly news.
The NAO already warned that “Organisations may ... see significant increases in workload arising from AI-driven external activity (such as automated ... online submissions)"
The NAO already warned that “Organisations may ... see significant increases in workload arising from AI-driven external activity (such as automated ... online submissions)"
www.nao.org.uk
August 10, 2026 at 7:34 AM
The Economist’s “revelation” that AI assisted complaints and appeals are overwhelming the public sector isn’t exactly news.
The NAO already warned that “Organisations may ... see significant increases in workload arising from AI-driven external activity (such as automated ... online submissions)"
The NAO already warned that “Organisations may ... see significant increases in workload arising from AI-driven external activity (such as automated ... online submissions)"
our desk note for Andy Burnham on how digital operating models and infrastructure can improve UK devolution and strengthen democratic accountability
"... the UK can design a better devolution settlement — one that makes democratic governance more effective, responsive, and cost-efficient, all while strengthening local democracy and UK cohesion in the process."
Viva la devolution – rebalancing power through technology | Computer Weekly
Andy Burnham has promised to deliver the "biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen" as our new prime minister, with power taken away from Westminster and redistributed to all parts of the UK.
www.computerweekly.com
August 2, 2026 at 11:56 AM
our desk note for Andy Burnham on how digital operating models and infrastructure can improve UK devolution and strengthen democratic accountability
"The week in review" — my brief look at current hot topics ranging from devolution to artificial intelligence, and from the latest machinery of government changes to digital identity
The week in review—from devolution to digital identity
Here’s a brief summary of a few developments that caught my eye this week—from devolution to artificial intelligence, and from machinery of government changes to digital identity. Devolution …
ntouk.wordpress.com
July 31, 2026 at 11:36 AM
"The week in review" — my brief look at current hot topics ranging from devolution to artificial intelligence, and from the latest machinery of government changes to digital identity
digital technologies are a gamechanger for devolution. They create options that were simply unavailable when the current model was developed in the last century—options that can help to strengthen democratic accountability while reducing duplication and lowering costs
"... the UK can design a better devolution settlement — one that makes democratic governance more effective, responsive, and cost-efficient, all while strengthening local democracy and UK cohesion in the process."
Viva la devolution – rebalancing power through technology | Computer Weekly
Andy Burnham has promised to deliver the "biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen" as our new prime minister, with power taken away from Westminster and redistributed to all parts of the UK.
www.computerweekly.com
July 25, 2026 at 1:39 PM
digital technologies are a gamechanger for devolution. They create options that were simply unavailable when the current model was developed in the last century—options that can help to strengthen democratic accountability while reducing duplication and lowering costs
"... the UK can design a better devolution settlement — one that makes democratic governance more effective, responsive, and cost-efficient, all while strengthening local democracy and UK cohesion in the process."
Viva la devolution – rebalancing power through technology | Computer Weekly
Andy Burnham has promised to deliver the "biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen" as our new prime minister, with power taken away from Westminster and redistributed to all parts of the UK.
www.computerweekly.com
July 20, 2026 at 8:35 AM
"... the UK can design a better devolution settlement — one that makes democratic governance more effective, responsive, and cost-efficient, all while strengthening local democracy and UK cohesion in the process."
A little reminder that Count Binface can easily fulfil his pledge to restore Ceefax since Alistair Cree did that long ago …
nmsceefax.co.uk
nmsceefax.co.uk
NMS Ceefax
An up-to-date version of the BBC's teletext service, Ceefax.
nmsceefax.co.uk
July 8, 2026 at 8:05 PM
A little reminder that Count Binface can easily fulfil his pledge to restore Ceefax since Alistair Cree did that long ago …
nmsceefax.co.uk
nmsceefax.co.uk
“The findings show how easily digital access can break down. Nearly one in five respondents said they are unable to access or use digital government services without support.”
DPA report reveals barriers to digital government services – Digital Poverty Alliance
Digital government services are now part of how people apply for support, manage identity documents, access benefits and complete essential public-service tasks
digitalpovertyalliance.org
June 30, 2026 at 2:21 PM
“The findings show how easily digital access can break down. Nearly one in five respondents said they are unable to access or use digital government services without support.”
"Regular political pronouncements that the 'magic' of technology is about to fix an increasingly broken system ring increasingly hollow after 30 years"
In which James Findlay & I explore how to close the long-standing gap between governments' bold "digital transformation" ambitions & the reality.
In which James Findlay & I explore how to close the long-standing gap between governments' bold "digital transformation" ambitions & the reality.
Delivering better government after three decades of disappointment | Computer Weekly
UK governments have spent over three decades telling us that technology will modernise the public sector, cut costs, improve services for citizens and businesses, and boost productivity. Yet despite s...
www.computerweekly.com
June 24, 2026 at 5:07 PM
"Regular political pronouncements that the 'magic' of technology is about to fix an increasingly broken system ring increasingly hollow after 30 years"
In which James Findlay & I explore how to close the long-standing gap between governments' bold "digital transformation" ambitions & the reality.
In which James Findlay & I explore how to close the long-standing gap between governments' bold "digital transformation" ambitions & the reality.
Reposted by Jerry Fishenden
The recent National Audit Office good practice guide to artificial intelligence usefully cuts through a lot of the AI noise.
It raises issues that organisations may not have previously considered, such as the impact of the external application of agentic systems on their workloads:
It raises issues that organisations may not have previously considered, such as the impact of the external application of agentic systems on their workloads:
June 21, 2026 at 12:13 PM
The recent National Audit Office good practice guide to artificial intelligence usefully cuts through a lot of the AI noise.
It raises issues that organisations may not have previously considered, such as the impact of the external application of agentic systems on their workloads:
It raises issues that organisations may not have previously considered, such as the impact of the external application of agentic systems on their workloads:
The recent National Audit Office good practice guide to artificial intelligence usefully cuts through a lot of the AI noise.
It raises issues that organisations may not have previously considered, such as the impact of the external application of agentic systems on their workloads:
It raises issues that organisations may not have previously considered, such as the impact of the external application of agentic systems on their workloads:
June 21, 2026 at 12:13 PM
The recent National Audit Office good practice guide to artificial intelligence usefully cuts through a lot of the AI noise.
It raises issues that organisations may not have previously considered, such as the impact of the external application of agentic systems on their workloads:
It raises issues that organisations may not have previously considered, such as the impact of the external application of agentic systems on their workloads:
I’ve finally pulled together numerous AI-related resources formerly scattered across my tech policy website, embedded in Parliamentary submissions, and explored in various media articles and my book.
I'm sure it can be improved :) Feedback always very welcome.
ntouk.wordpress.com/2026/06/15/n...
I'm sure it can be improved :) Feedback always very welcome.
ntouk.wordpress.com/2026/06/15/n...
New Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub
I’ve finally got around to pulling together various AI-related resources formerly scattered across my site, embedded in Parliamentary submissions, and explored in various media articles and m…
ntouk.wordpress.com
June 15, 2026 at 9:37 AM
I’ve finally pulled together numerous AI-related resources formerly scattered across my tech policy website, embedded in Parliamentary submissions, and explored in various media articles and my book.
I'm sure it can be improved :) Feedback always very welcome.
ntouk.wordpress.com/2026/06/15/n...
I'm sure it can be improved :) Feedback always very welcome.
ntouk.wordpress.com/2026/06/15/n...
“The way to build good digital policy is no mystery. You model it first. You pilot it where it will make people’s lives measurably easier. You learn what works, and what doesn’t, and then you scale and continue to learn and improve.”
The Isle of Wight can settle more than the digital ID argument | Computer Weekly
The Isle of Wight is geographically bounded, with three monitored ferry gateways. Its population of 140,000 is served by a single local authority and a defined NHS footprint. It is, in effect, a conta...
www.computerweekly.com
May 22, 2026 at 7:21 PM
“The way to build good digital policy is no mystery. You model it first. You pilot it where it will make people’s lives measurably easier. You learn what works, and what doesn’t, and then you scale and continue to learn and improve.”
Reposted by Jerry Fishenden
As heated debate rises around the UK government's plans for a national digital identity scheme - why not try it out to see if it works, in a well-defined, real-life environment with real people involved...
👉 [read]
👉 [read]
April 20, 2026 at 9:53 AM
As heated debate rises around the UK government's plans for a national digital identity scheme - why not try it out to see if it works, in a well-defined, real-life environment with real people involved...
👉 [read]
👉 [read]
With the government announcing its consultation on digital ID, a few thoughts on why delegated authority is non-negotiable
Digital ID — delegated authority is non-negotiable
The government has announced its much anticipated consultation on digital identity (ID). There’s obviously going to be a lot of issues that need to be considered over coming months, but one p…
ntouk.wordpress.com
March 11, 2026 at 6:25 PM
With the government announcing its consultation on digital ID, a few thoughts on why delegated authority is non-negotiable
Reposted by Jerry Fishenden
Nearly a year ago I wrote about how agentic AI *could* join-up govt in more effective ways … but worried it would instead end up being a new thin digital veneer, displacing the much needed transformation and improvement of the public sector. Has much changed …?
Agentic AI — citizens’ new super-power for “joined-up government”
A few months ago, the National Audit Office reminded us that a large chunk of central government IT is legacy. It’s one reason why departments still force citizens to repeatedly provide the s…
ntouk.wordpress.com
March 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Nearly a year ago I wrote about how agentic AI *could* join-up govt in more effective ways … but worried it would instead end up being a new thin digital veneer, displacing the much needed transformation and improvement of the public sector. Has much changed …?
Amazon is experiencing AI-related outages, with a “trend of incidents” in recent months characterised by a “high blast radius” and “Gen-AI assisted changes.”
"Junior and mid-level engineers will now require more senior engineers to sign off any AI-assisted changes"
"Junior and mid-level engineers will now require more senior engineers to sign off any AI-assisted changes"
Amazon holds engineering meeting following AI-related outages
Ecommerce giant says there has been a ‘trend of incidents’ linked to ‘Gen-AI assisted changes’
www.ft.com
March 10, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Amazon is experiencing AI-related outages, with a “trend of incidents” in recent months characterised by a “high blast radius” and “Gen-AI assisted changes.”
"Junior and mid-level engineers will now require more senior engineers to sign off any AI-assisted changes"
"Junior and mid-level engineers will now require more senior engineers to sign off any AI-assisted changes"
Useful piece from 'The Register', with more insights into the risks organisations face from the malicious use of agentic AI
Manage attack infrastructure? AI agents can now help
interview: Crims 'will do what gets them their objective easiest and fastest,' Microsoft threat intel boss tells The Reg
www.theregister.com
March 9, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Useful piece from 'The Register', with more insights into the risks organisations face from the malicious use of agentic AI