Background
Shared Services is a digital transformation programme aimed at modernising government back-office functions such as HR, finance, recruitment, and payroll.
Cabinet Office published its latest Shared Services Strategy for Government in 2021. To deliver on the strategy, all central government departments are organised into five clusters. Each cluster is responsible for procuring and delivering a common IT platform onto which departments will migrate their back-office operations. The strategy intends to streamline services, which the government estimates will result in over £115 million per year in efficiency and productivity benefits across government by 2028-29.
Since we last reported on Shared Services in 2022, clusters have made progress towards delivering Cabinet Office’s strategy.
Scope
This study will assess whether Cabinet Office and clusters are on track to deliver the Shared Service Strategy’s benefits and savings. The study team will work with Cabinet Office, clusters and other stakeholders to examine:
- if the five Shared Services clusters are on track to deliver the strategy
- if Cabinet Office has a good understanding of progress made against delivery of its strategy
- the extent to which Cabinet Office and clusters are preparing Shared Services for compatibility with other programmes or initiatives across government
NAO team
Director: Sian Jones
Senior Audit Manager: Maria-Christina Eskioglou