An internal audit has revealed that the government has made 拢18.6bn year-on-year savings, with 拢1.7bn coming from GDS-led efficiency.
The government began its saving process when the 2008 recession hit, putting in place steps including renegotiating supplier deals and enforcing temporary limitations on new IT projects in order to cut spending.
A report on the gov.uk website said: “The Cabinet Office is working to help departments reduce reliance on everything from expensive consultants to print cartridges.
“Across these savings, 拢1.7bn has come from digital- and technology-related activities.”
The report stated that GDS provided a total of 拢599m worth of savings through the large transformation and implementation of controls.
The creation of the Public Services Network saved 拢103m, with 拢391m being saved through “intervention in departmental digital and technology projects”which included implementing IT strategies.
The GDS transformation was cited to have saved the government 拢105m which included the development of the gov.uk website. GDS also carried out transformational work with respective departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions and the transformation for asset management for the Ministry of Justice.
The report states that 拢6.1bn worth of savings were made simply by changing the government’s procurements of goods and services, including limiting outsourcing spend.
The report said transforming how the government works saved 拢1.5bn.
It added: “This includes better managing government property and selling empty buildings, putting services and transactions online, preventing wasteful IT spend and introducing new ways of providing government services.”