Gavin Freeguard
@gavinfreeguard.com
Data/govt etc freelancer gavinfreeguard.com Starting @sotf.org.uk @connectedbydata.org, Data Bites @publicdigital.bsky.social, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, Think Digital Partners, @kinship.works, @transformgovtalks.bsky.social Pic @paulclarke.com
I couldn't possibly comment
Cath Haddon@cathhaddon.bsky.social · 5h agoAlso worth saying for transparency that the reference to 'lots of my colleagues' by Nicola Hughes (NH) was undoubtedly a reference to @gavinfreeguard.com Others who worked here at the time (me) weren't quite as obsessed with craft beer but certainly respected Gavin's commitment.
Really enjoyed doing this - some optimism and sense of opportunity amongst... everything else
James Ball@jamesrball.com · 3d agoSome UK tech policy podcasting for your weekend – @justinhendrix.bsky.social talks through Andy Burnham's first moves on tech with @gavinfreeguard.com, @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social and me. Available here, and wherever you get your pods.
Some UK tech policy podcasting for your weekend – @justinhendrix.bsky.social talks through Andy Burnham's first moves on tech with @gavinfreeguard.com, @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social and me. Available here, and wherever you get your pods.
Taking Stock of the UK Tech Policy 'Muddle'
A conversation with Tech Policy Press fellow James Ball, State of the Future's Gavin Freeguard, and Careful Industries' Rachel Coldicutt.
techpolicy.press
This was fun. The only shame of an audio-only format is that you probably can't hear the eye rolls. That said, I think the rise of regional tech policy and (hopefully) the end of announcement-itis might both be things to look forward to. (Also @gavinfreeguard.com's memory is a thing to behold.)
James Ball@jamesrball.com · 3d agoSome UK tech policy podcasting for your weekend – @justinhendrix.bsky.social talks through Andy Burnham's first moves on tech with @gavinfreeguard.com, @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social and me. Available here, and wherever you get your pods.
This is extremely interesting and the pace for it to be delivered at is… Impressively ambitious.
Rewiring the State – Cabinet Statement (HTML)
gov.uk
Great to be in @civilserviceworld.bsky.social with some more streamlined thoughts on the destruction of DSIT 👇
Civil Service World@civilserviceworld.bsky.social · 5d ago"There is a risk that civil service reform comes to mean tech-first AI-driven headcount reduction in the name of efficiency and productivity" www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
One of the biggest ever shakeups in the organisation of English government which could well herald a major political economy turning point. Sort of surprised it’s not on more news website front pages.
A good time to be launching a think tank thinking about the state of the future, eh? Sign up to our newsletter via sotf.org.uk And yesterday's post on the Burnham government still feels relevant (and hasn't aged too badly, thankfully) medium.com/state-of-the...
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 5d agoCrikey www.gov.uk/government/p...
Most importantly - as @gavinfreeguard.com says - this: "Loudly and deliberately scrapping the civil service speaking ban and giving public servants the confidence and incentives to share what they’re doing — with one another and external stakeholders — would help."
I'm pro all this, but we need new approaches for the lack of mayoral scrutiny - here's our overview from last year and some approaches that would improve civic scrutiny research.mysociety.org/html/mayoral...
Mayoral Scrutiny
New forms of devolution need new forms of scrutiny
research.mysociety.org
Like obviously there's always a latent "oh the senior civil service are running rings around ministers" but the idea of "the fifty" is a very strong version of that. It's also distinct from the right wing version (civil service suspicious but centralisation good, therefore politicise appointments).
The attitude towards the civil service in the book is really interesting, his view of the state is very concerned with conspiracies (unaccountable decision making + lying). Which I don't mean negatively, it's a theory of the state that underpins FOI for instance, but is interesting from the PM.
The new government's government restructuring has on the whole received cautiously positive reviews, but @gavinfreeguard.com's piece here describes cogently how the approach to data/digital/AI doesn't look coherent. I also share his worries about the recently-announced Civil Service review.
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 6d agoI have blogged! The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government or - Why the abolition of DSIT is baffling and bad - Why I'm worried about what it means for civil service reform - Some opportunities for the new government around data, digital, open government medium.com/state-of-the...
Insightful post from the estimable @gavinfreeguard.com
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 6d agoI have blogged! The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government or - Why the abolition of DSIT is baffling and bad - Why I'm worried about what it means for civil service reform - Some opportunities for the new government around data, digital, open government medium.com/state-of-the...
It would be good if we broke the explicit link between Cabinet Minister responsibilities and the shape of departments. There's no reason why we can work across boundaries to have conversations needed to brief Ministers about the problems they want to solve, and then act collectively on the steer.
Really interesting and thoughtful piece (also featuring memes and an enjoyable W1A reference)
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 6d agoI have blogged! The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government or - Why the abolition of DSIT is baffling and bad - Why I'm worried about what it means for civil service reform - Some opportunities for the new government around data, digital, open government medium.com/state-of-the...
I have blogged! The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government or - Why the abolition of DSIT is baffling and bad - Why I'm worried about what it means for civil service reform - Some opportunities for the new government around data, digital, open government medium.com/state-of-the...
The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government
In common with lots of other policy people in recent weeks, I’ve been reading Head North, the (very readable) book by new Prime Minister…
medium.com
Thanks to @jamesrball.com for including a bit from me, also much wisdom from @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @tomski.com (I think scrapping DSIT is a bad idea, bsky.app/profile/gavi... - more to come shortly...)
Tech Policy Press@techpolicypress.bsky.social · last wk.By scrapping DSIT and redistributing responsibilities across Whitehall, new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has significantly reshaped the UK government’s technology policy even in his first week in office—in ways that have divided initial expert reaction, writes Tech Policy Press fellow James Ball.
For unknown reasons the Number 10 media team still doesn't have anything official on Bluesky so I spent 15 mins vibe-coding up this which automatically shares @andyburnham.bsky.social 's Instagram and TikTok posts. @unofficialandy.bsky.social #AndyBurnham Please share away!
'If civil society is not a full partner right from the start of the work you initiate on devolution, you won’t just be missing out on some fantastic thinking; you’ll be missing a vital means of achieving your ambitions.' 💯 to this, and not just on devo
The Future Governance Forum (FGF)@futuregovforum.bsky.social · last wk.How should Andy Burnham work with civil society to deliver the “more preventative state” he promised in his first Downing Street speech? The @civilsociety.bsky.social article by Chair of FGF’s Social Insights Panel @pollyneate.bsky.social answers that question www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/polly...
Last week at @Policy Camp we asked the question: 💭 What data do you wish you had to make your policy better? A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our Policy Challenges wall, shared their thoughts and contributed to the conversation. #PolicyCamp #DigitalTransformation
And if you enjoyed @policycamp.bsky.social... ...you might enjoy @transformgovtalks.bsky.social! Join us this Wednesday evening for talks on: - Design ethnography and Hansard - Churn! a boardgame all about making policy Sign up now: luma.com/5ux09nfv
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 2w agoIt really was - a massive thank you to everyone who came (an unconference is made by the people who turn up) and all the sponsors, organisers, volunteers who made it possible! We'll be publishing a report summarising the key themes, so look out for that in September
It really was - a massive thank you to everyone who came (an unconference is made by the people who turn up) and all the sponsors, organisers, volunteers who made it possible! We'll be publishing a report summarising the key themes, so look out for that in September
Policy Camp@policycamp.bsky.social · 2w agoWhat an amazing day yesterday! Thanks so much to everyone who came - you built the event, we literally couldn't have done it without you. We'll be sharing a post event report in the next few weeks. Dare we say, Policy Camp 2027...? 😅
By popular* demand I have added my many words to all the other bits and pieces reflecting on the end of DSIT. *@semanthicc.bsky.social and one other said they were waiting to hear my take.
GDS, AI and the missing theory of the digital state
Two years after digital, data and AI were brought together, the settlement is being dismantled. What does that tell us about the state Britain is trying to build?
bm.wel.by
Given everything the last few days it feels like a good time to say I'm going to be needing a new job from September! I'm going back to contracting and looking for Product Coaching or Product Community/Chapter Lead type stuff. 3 or 4 days a week.
Bill Belichick Looking For A New Job Meme
ALT: Bill Belichick Looking For A New Job Meme
static.klipy.com
So: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat... - New Office for PM and Cabinet includes an AI Taskforce, PM adviser on AI, overall govt strategy on AI - Cab Off takes lead on AI adoption across Civil Service & AI strategy, public sector AI adoption and the AI Security Institute (cont...)
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 2w agoSo. Farewell then, DSIT (7 February 2023 – 20 July 2026) For all the department’s challenges, I’m not sure it’s a great idea to abolish it 🧵
Also - if GDS is moving to DCMS, presumably including various bits of responsibility for the use of AI in government, we have a Cabinet Minister for AI who has... no footprint in that department?
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 2w agoDCMS has reacquired 'Digital' in its title. Minister for AI, Kanishka Narayan, is listed as Cabinet Office & the (new) Dept for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade - though was originally put in DCMS rather than DBIST, which doesn't inspire huge confidence in these changes being thought through
Now seeing evidence that the zero sense move (of GDS to DDCMS) is what's happening. Which makes zero sense. If you're going to hold back service transformation through a MOG change, the end result of that change has to be worth the disruption.
Jeni Tennison@jenitennison.com · 2w agoI have to assume that GDS will be moving back to Cabinet Office (because the alternative move to DDCMS makes zero sense). I guess we'll know when we see the relevant junior ministerial appointments – who will have Digital Government in their remit and in which department?
