Croeso! Welcome to the first edition of the Transform Wales newsletter.
Each month we’ll share updates on our work alongside the key digital stories shaping Wales.
This month’s digital news in Wales
CDPS integrated into Welsh Government
The Welsh Government confirmed that the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) is being integrated into the central government. This move raises questions about independence, capacity, and the next phase of digital transformation in Welsh public services. Read Ann’s thoughts about this move on LinkedIn .
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Senedd emails blocked by Number
Will Hayward highlighted an unusual barrier in a recent newsletter: the 10 Downing Street contact form doesn’t accept senedd.wales email addresses. It’s a small but telling example of how Welsh institutions can get overlooked in UK-wide systems. See this Bluesky thread to learn more .
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Whistleblowing at Transport for Wales
Nation.Cymru reported allegations of a major IT overspend at Transport for Wales. A whistleblower has claimed serious failings, with questions now being raised about transparency and accountability in large digital projects.
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Senedd report: Digital in health and social care
The Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee published a report on hospital discharges, warning that digital progress is too slow. They recommend that “The Welsh Government should drive the delivery of the digital transformation agenda in health and social care, with stronger leadership and greater accountability.” The report highlights that digital progress isn’t just about technology, it’s about the people leading that progress.
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Exploring user needs in communities affected by disused coal tips
A Welsh Government blog post looks at how digital services can meet the needs of communities affected by disused coal tips, with user research shedding light on what people really want and need.
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Data sharing for streamlined benefits
CDPS shared findings on data sharing in the Welsh benefits system. The post explores opportunities to make applications simpler, while also highlighting the gaps that still hold services back.
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Service patterns in practice
Another CDPS post on service patterns shares how prototype designs are being tested in real contexts. It’s part of ongoing work to develop reusable approaches that could save time and improve services across Wales.
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Licensing service for fish-eating birds
Natural Resources Wales shared how it built a new licensing service for fish-eating birds in just six months. The blog explains how user research, agile delivery, and cross-team collaboration helped them replace a paper-based process with a more efficient digital service.
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Our report is almost ready to publish
We unveiled a sneak peek of our new report, Transforming public services for a modern Wales. In it, we set out a practical, proven approach built on modern skills, small empowered teams, and open, test-and-learn delivery. And we don’t just talk theory: it includes a blueprint for a new government’s first 1,000 days in power through 2 live policy examples.
Stay connected
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