The Local Government Association (LGA) and techUK have created a new partnership to help drive digital transformation in councils across England
Announced this week, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations sows the efforts to strengthen ties between local authorities and the technology sector.
Improving digital strategies and strengthening local government solutions
Effective 1 April 2025, the MoU outlines a 12-month framework for collaboration focused on harnessing digital technologies to improve local public services.
The partnership combines the tech industry’s capabilities with the local government’s specific needs while supporting the UK government’s other plans for a modern digital government.
A big part of this commitment is the joint work, knowledge sharing, and policy development. By creating a more structured and consistent relationship between councils and technology providers, the initiative aims to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing local government, from procurement and digital skills to cybersecurity and innovation.
During its initial year, the partnership will prioritise engagement through regular events and initiatives.
These will include workshops, webinars, roundtables, and joint consultations, all intended to build trust, increase understanding, and identify practical solutions to shared problems.
Aligning tech innovation with council priorities across the UK
As part of this collaboration, techUK will directly shape local digital policy by joining the LGA’s Local Government Digital Committee. This move is expected to ensure that industry insights are embedded into key decision-making processes, helping to create smarter, more resilient digital strategies.
Supporting smarter service delivery to drive digital transformation
In addition to strategic planning, the two organisations will collaborate on specific projects that address shared goals. These may include research studies, pilot programmes, or developing tools and resources supporting local authorities’ digital journeys. Key focus areas will include procurement reform, skills development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and improving digital inclusion.
The partnership also hopes to boost market intelligence for councils and make it easier for tech companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to navigate the local government landscape.
This two-way understanding is seen as key to unlocking innovation and ensuring that digital solutions are tailored to the needs of diverse communities.
With councils under increasing pressure to do more with less, digital transformation is recognised as a vital lever for improving service delivery and citizen engagement. The LGA and techUK hope to create a more dynamic, forward-thinking environment for local government services by allowing collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Both parties have committed to reviewing the progress and impact of the MoU after 12 months. This review will help inform decisions about the partnership’s future and identify opportunities for deeper collaboration in the years ahead.
