'OneGov' initiative sees Police IT staff moved into Government

Wednesday 23 June 2021

Nine members of the Police’s IT team are to be moved into Government, as part of a plan to centralise digital operations and make savings.

The decision, signed off by the Treasury Minister, will see both the staff and the £1.2m budget for them transferred from the Police to the Government’s Modernisation and Digital Department.

In a report accompanying the decision, it was stated that “in 2019 the decision was made to create one centralised Digital function which aligns with the OneGov principles.”

It added that “centralising the digital teams will allow for a development and the implementation of a sustainable plan to build ongoing internal capability to support cultural development."

Furthermore, it claims that merging the teams will lead to savings.

Total staff budget for the transfer is £633,200, and the non-staff budget is £640,000 - no assets are being transferred.

The Ministerial Decision also says that a memorandum of understanding has been drafted between the Police and the Modernisation and Digital Department to agree responsibility and accountability.

Express has contacted both the Police and the Government for comment, and is awaiting a reply.