Google and the UK Government Forge Historic AI Deal, Phasing Out Legacy Tech for 100,000 Skilled Civil Servants
The UK Government has today announced a landmark strategic partnership with Google Cloud aimed at modernising core public services, phasing out legacy IT infrastructure, and upskilling up to 100,000 civil servants in emerging technologies by 2030.
Google Cloud and the UK Government Partner to Modernise Public Sector IT
At the Google Cloud Summit in London, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle unveiled a partnership that will help central and local government bodies ditch out‑dated systems—long dubbed the public sector’s “ball and chain”—and deliver about £45 billion in efficiency savings.
How the Deal Works
- Support & Training: Google Cloud will provide technical support and training to help agencies—including the NHS, local councils, and tax services—transition away from legacy IT contracts that are vulnerable to outages and cyberattacks.
- Efficiency Gains: The partnership is expected to free up roughly £45 billion by moving to more flexible, interoperable cloud solutions.
- Upskilling: A dedicated training programme will equip up to 100,000 civil servants with the skills needed to manage and apply emerging technologies, including AI, to meet the Prime Minister’s 2030 target of having one in ten civil servants in digital or tech roles.
Why It Matters
Currently, over a quarter of public‑sector systems run on legacy infrastructure; some police forces and NHS trusts report figures as high as 70%. These old contracts trap departments in expensive, rigid systems that rarely communicate with one another.
The new initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change and digital government blueprint, aiming to transform everyday services—from bin collections to healthcare and tax returns—by making them faster, more secure, and easier to use.
- Reduce procurement fragmentation by allowing departments to negotiate collectively.
- Provide faster adoption of cloud and AI solutions.
- Improve resilience against growing digital threats.
What Google Brings
Google DeepMind will work with government scientists and engineers to explore AI’s potential in accelerating public sector innovation and scientific research. Google Cloud will also support the development of a unified cybersecurity platform to improve response times and resilience.
Statements from the Partners
“Britain will be using more technology, in more areas and more than ever before,” Peter Kyle said. “I’m calling on the big technology companies to bring us your best ideas, your best tech, and your best price. I negotiate on behalf of the British taxpayer.”
Tara Brady, President of Google Cloud EMEA, added, “This partnership will help build a truly modern, secure and efficient digital future, delivering tangible benefits to citizens and driving significant economic value.”
Next Steps
The government hopes the deal will empower a collective bargaining approach, giving public bodies stronger negotiating power for technology deals. By embracing cloud and AI, it aims to break free from outdated models, defend against cyber threats, and modernise the services that millions of Britons rely on every day.
