The Government Digital Service (GDS) has launched a research lab with cutting edge equipment to build what it claims will be simpler, clearer and faster government services.
Based at the GDS headquarters in Holborn, the state-of-the-art lab has been used by teams across government to test digital services such as accessing online driving and road tax records.
The lab sports a controlled testing environment to provide researchers with facilities such as those to closely monitor how people interact with a website, such as recording facial expressions, tracking eye movements as well as cursor movements and mouse clicks. The lab will also used for interviews and workshops to find out about habits, lifestyle and thought patterns.
Technology will also be available to help those with special requirements. The lab includes large screens for visually impaired people, an induction loop for those who are hard of hearing and a joystick and compact keyboard for mobility impaired people.
The government said such was the popularity of the new lab it has been "booked for months in advance".
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said: "You can bank online at midnight and shop from your bedroom so people rightly expect high-quality digital services from government. That's why we built the award-winning GOV.UK a simpler, faster and cheaper set for government information and services and we will continue to innovate with this new digital lab."
"Our digital-by-default programme will save taxpayers, businesses and the public billions over the next decade and it's all part of this government's long-term economic plan," he added.
Executive director of digital, Mike Bracken, said: "We're building services which are so good, people prefer to use them. Thorough research with actual users is critical to that, and especially to our exemplars; 25 of government's highest volume transactions, which are being transformed into digital by default services."
Several government research teams have existing contracts with external rented laboratories, but are in the process of moving their projects to the GDS lab. By providing these services in-house, it is estimated that the lab will be 25 per cent cheaper for teams than going out to market.
-
Cleo attack victim list grows as Hertz confirms customer data stolenNews Hertz has confirmed it suffered a data breach as a result of the Cleo zero-day vulnerability in late 2024, with the car rental giant warning that customer data was stolen.
-
Lateral moves in tech: Why leaders should support employee mobilityIn-depth Encouraging staff to switch roles can have long-term benefits for skills in the tech sector
-
Starmer bets big on AI to unlock public sector savingsNews AI adoption could be a major boon for the UK and save taxpayers billions, according to prime minister Keir Starmer.
-
UK government targets ‘startup’ mindset in AI funding overhaulNews Public sector AI funding will be overhauled in the UK in a bid to simplify processes and push more projects into development.
-
UK government signs up Anthropic to improve public servicesNews The UK government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Anthropic to explore how the company's Claude AI assistant could be used to improve access to public services.
-
The UK’s AI ambitions face one major hurdle – finding enough home-grown talentNews Research shows UK enterprises are struggling to fill AI roles, raising concerns over the country's ability to meet expectations in the global AI race.
-
US government urged to overhaul outdated technologyNews A review from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found legacy technology and outdated IT systems are negatively impacting efficiency.
-
Government urged to improve tech procurement practicesNews The National Audit Office highlighted wasted money and a lack of progress on major digital transformation programmes
-
Government says new data bill will free up millions of hours of public sector timeNews The UK government is proposing new data laws it says could free up millions of hours of police and NHS time every year and boost the UK economy by £10 billion.
-
Online Safety Act slammed by rights groups as bill gains royal assentNews The Online Safety Act has been described as a veiled attempt to secure access to encrypted messages
