Welcome to WiredGov Plus

WiredGov Plus provides a weekly roundup of news from the UK Government and Public Sector. To save your time, we research & validate the links to websites / documents and selectively add additional background links as appropriate.

Editor’s choice of ICT items of note:

Independent Expert Group for the Unlocking the Value of Data Programme report: SG response

Potential new smart data scheme to drive innovation and support consumers in the energy market

Smart Data Challenge Prize launches to reward SMEs

Estyn to review use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in schools

Statement in response to AI Action Plan

AI teacher tools set to break down barriers to opportunity

UK AI sector attracts £200 million a day in private investment since July

The UK's AI moment: An ambitious new plan for innovation and growth
 

Managing risk isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Looking to streamline your organisation’s risk management practices against the UK Management of Risk in Government framework? 

Download our short 7-step guide to elevate risk management and enhance operational efficiency. Inside, you will find actionable steps on:

  • Identifying Risks
  • Establishing Risk Ownership
  • Implementing Risk Controls and Mitigation Strategies
  • Conducting Regular Risk Reporting

Simply click here to download our short guide along with the Cabinet Office Guidance on ‘Management of Risk in Government: Framework’
 
Editor’s choice of Health, Social Care & Homelessness related items of note:

Searches for NHS advice on childhood illnesses surge in 2024

Health and Social Care Secretary's statement: winter 2025

Green light for groundbreaking hearing aids

UK invests £5.5 million to tackle mpox in sub-Saharan Africa

NHS rolls out lifesaving home testing for bowel cancer to over 50s

NHS Confederation responds to report on the scale of corridor care in hospitals

NHS Confederation responds to new report suggesting too many families struggle to access desperately-needed special educational needs support

NHS Confederation - Near record flu levels piles more pressure on NHS services
 
Editor’s choice of Business / Commercial items of note:

UK government advances growth mission overseas by strengthening links with leading European businesses

UK Latin America Minister visits Chile as two countries commit to strengthening trade ties

UK and Iraq boost cooperation on trade, growth and illegal migration

IPPR - Government urged to offer Trump trade olive branch while bracing for tariff war

Chancellor’s National Wealth Fund fuels 8,600 jobs in six months

More than 2,500 volunteers supported to improve local environments by Keep Wales Tidy every month thanks to £1.2m of Welsh Government funding

Up-rating Report 2025 - report on the National Insurance Fund

Joint investment in Scottish City Deals now more than £3 billion

Massive boost for UK motor industry as £50 million investment deal secured
 
Editor’s choice of Policy & General items of note:

The tough dilemma Trump 2.0 poses for Beijing

Trump’s ambiguous stance on China raises the risk of accidental conflict in the Indo-Pacific

IPPR - Low growth and high interest rates, not inflation, are the real economic challenge, says IPPR

CBI responds to latest inflation data for December 2024

Teenagers charged with murder following bus stabbing

The new Trump administration could herald a remaking of the international order. How should the world respond?

Media Advisory Notice – trial of Axel Rudakubana

‘Vital government sets out SEND reform plan’ – LGA response to PAC report
 
SME Supplier Locator update...

With the officially stated target and ongoing drive for SME’s to receive £1 of every £3 spent on government contracts, UK public sector spend with SME’s is continually on the increase.

Against this ambitious backdrop, the WiredGov Supplier Locator service has been developed specifically to embrace the SME Agenda and provide the ideal platform for SME’s to promote their services, solutions, accreditation and success stories directly to our ever increasing audience across all government and public sector verticals and Tier 1 suppliers.

Recent arrivals to the SME Supplier Locator service include:

Click here to find out more.

Cogent Heritage Consulting Ltd 
 
Please choose from the links below to view individual sections of interest:
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Latest News

Archaic tech sees public sector miss £45 billion annual savings
Public sector workers are being held back by archaic technology according to a new report set to be published on Tuesday.

Prime Minister sets out blueprint to turbocharge AI
Artificial intelligence will deliver a decade of national renewal, as part of a new plan announced today (13 January 2025).

UK AI sector attracts £200 million a day in private investment since July
An average of £200 million in private sector investment has been funnelled into the UK’s world leading AI sector every day since last summer.

Government puts AI to work for bakers, road workers and more
Small businesses across the country will be helped to boost their productivity and efficiency through AI tools set to be trialled.

New regional skills projects to bolster UK cyber defences and deliver on Plan for Change
More than 30 projects across England and Northern Ireland will deliver targeted support to boost the UK’s cyber resilience.