The UK Government’s decision to move the Government Digital Service (GDS) to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport risks weakening its influence and causing experienced staff to leave, MPs were told. Experts said the repeated reorganisations could distance the service from central government and make digital policy and delivery less effective.

The GDS was created in 2011 and has now had three departmental homes in three years: the Cabinet Office, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and DCMS. Witnesses highlighted confusion over accountability, insufficient consultation with technical leaders, disruption caused by reorganisations and the risk that the most capable staff will quickly find jobs elsewhere; the GDS also oversees major government digital and IT spending.