By improving civil servants’ interactions with government back office services, the strategy will support a Civil Service, where civil servants can seamlessly move between departments and roles, allowing the Civil Service to deploy what we need to meet the challenges of the day.

The strategy primarily focuses on driving value and efficiency for the taxpayer by moving to the latest cloud technology, promoting simpler back office processes across departments supported by automation, and meeting the needs of end users across the Civil Service, police, and the armed forces. Doing these things will enable a smarter and more flexible back office for the Civil Service.

Once it has been implemented successfully, the new strategy will promote competition between shared services providers in the market, driving both performance for users, and value for the taxpayer by making service providers constantly improve their technology. By making the most of the latest automation, and robotics, we can make sure that civil servants are supported while they deliver public services.

This strategy will be delivered by the newly formed Government Shared Services unit, from within the Cabinet Office, in collaboration with all government departments.

Matthew Coats, Interim Head of Government Shared Services, and Chief Operating Officer of the Ministry of Justice said:

The shared services strategy for government sets clear direction, and I am pleased to have been part of its development. This will be step change in shared services across the government, directly supporting civil servants in their roles, while also contributing significant savings to the public purse.

By allowing civil servants to spend less time doing administration, they can spend more time delivering vital services to the public.

Providers can attend more HMCTS Roadshow Reform events with dates being announced in Birmingham, Winchester and Leeds.

The £1 billion reform programme will affect courts and tribunals, and is due to be completed in 2022. Where will the events be held?

The roadshow event series began last year and will continue into 2018. Dates will always be announced on the HMCTS website and twitter account.

The latest venues to be announced are:

• 9 January 5:30pm-7pm – IET Centre, Birmingham

• 5 February, time TBC – Winchester Combined Court

• 9 February, 5:00pm-6:30pm – Leeds Magistrates’ Court

How will the events work?

There will be a general introduction to the reform programme and a round-table discussion. Issues will include:

• scheduling and listing

• virtual hearings

• flexible operating hours

How do I register?

Register your interest on the HMCTS website link.

Further information

HMCTS website and #HMCTS – to check for future Reform Roadshow announcements

I am honoured to have been appointed and look forward to representing Global Britain with African nations to tackle a range of opportunities and challenges in Africa.

The UK has longstanding and important relationships, and I will work for an even stronger partnership with African nations, finding new ways to fight poverty, minimise threats and build mutual prosperity.

Eighteen African countries are part of the Commonwealth, so a priority for the upcoming Commonwealth Summit will be looking at how we meet the ambitions of the next generation, including creating the jobs and economic growth so crucial for a modern Africa.

The Prime Minister has appointed Damian Hinds MP as Secretary of State for Education.

Commenting on his new role, the Secretary of State for Education Damian Hinds said:

“I am honoured to be appointed Education Secretary.

“This Government has a strong record raising education standards and offering opportunity, particularly to those most in need, through our nurseries, schools, colleges and world-class universities.

“We are here to make sure young people and adults in this country have the chance to make the most of their talents and get on in life. That means more good school places and giving people the chance to learn and upskill throughout their lives with high-quality degrees, apprenticeships and other technical and vocational qualifications.

“Thanks to a hardworking and incredibly talented generation of teachers, alongside our bold reforms, there are now 1.9million more children in good or outstanding schools than in 2010, our pupils are now amongst the world’s best readers and our GCSEs and A-levels now rank amongst the world’s best qualifications.

“Working with the teaching profession, educational staff, businesses and employers, I want to continue to build on this fantastic record.

“The world economy is changing and it is through education, skills and training from the early years into adulthood that we will make sure no one is left behind – delivering a modern country that is globally competitive and fit for the future.”

Healthcare UK and the Department for International Trade are exhibiting at the Arab Health congress and exhibition taking place 29 January to 1 February 2018 in Dubai. Come and visit us at stand CC206 to explore outstanding UK digital healthcare solutions. Whether you are a regional healthcare operator or a UK-based healthcare supplier, talk to our trade experts about live commercial opportunities in the region.

Innovation in healthcare services driven by market needs

The healthcare sector in the Middle East is changing fast. It is responding to rapidly growing demands for preventative care, and for effective ways to reduce lifestyle-related diseases. The sector is moving towards specialist, more personalised healthcare with much greater interaction and self-management enabled by the ever-growing digital technology.

Explore the best in UK digital healthcare solutions

The UK has leveraged its unmatched data assets, world leading centres of clinical excellence and vibrant tech sector to produce some of the most innovative, evidence-based digital health solutions in the world today. On the Healthcare UK stand at Arab Health we will be showcasing some of the most innovative UK suppliers offering digital healthcare solutions. These companies will display how they are re-defining the patient journey through technological advances in prediction, protection and prevention.

Exhibiting companies are:

Visit us at stand CC206 at Arab Health to explore UK digital healthcare solutions. Find out more about the event here. Healthcare UK is a joint initiative of the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Department for International Trade. Find out more about what we do here.

Contact us at healthcare.uk@trade.gov.uk to discuss how we can help you, whether you are a UK-based supplier or a healthcare provider in the Middle East.