You’ve helped us improve our use of data
The Civil Service Data Challenge is an organisational improvement and staff development initiative, run in 2021 by the Cabinet Office, Global Government Forum, NTT DATA and the Office for National Statistics.
Find out more
Read our news report on December’s Final
Watch the finalists giving their presentations and answering the judges’ questions in the 30-minute videos below
The 2021 Winner
Deploy AI to protect and enhance our peatlands
At the 2021 programme Final on 9 December 2021, four teams presented their ideas to the Final Decision Panel – who picked as the overall winner a plan to train AI systems to identify peatlands drainage channels, supporting work to restore these sensitive environments. Panel chair Alex Chisholm, the Cabinet Office permanent secretary and civil service chief operating officer, called the scheme “outstandingly innovative” and noted its potential to reduce CO2 emissions, cut public spending, reduce flood risk and generate intellectual property.
However, Chisholm was clear that all eight of the semi-finalists’ ideas would be taken forward. “Every single one of those proposals we absolutely loved,” he said. “We want all of them to go forward; every one of the shortlisted ones… we are absolutely determined that they should happen.”
“Civil servants across the workforce will have ideas for how we could improve our use of data, strengthening staff tools and benefiting citizens. We want to tap into the expertise and creativity of staff in every role, grade, profession and organisation.”
Alex Chisholm
Chief Operating Officer, Civil Service, and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office
“The Civil Service Data Challenge is a fantastic way for central government to rethink the way it uses data, by giving civil servants a chance to present these ideas directly to senior leadership. By prioritising data and putting it at the heart of everything it does, the government is putting itself in a strong position to excel in the years to come.”
Vicki Chauhan
Head of Public Sector, NTT DATA UK
“Using data to modernise public services is a top priority. This innovative project shows the civil service at its best and I’m excited to hear about how it drives CO2 reductions.”
Steve Barclay
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, on the 2021 winner
“I’ve found civil servants full of ideas on how to realise the Government’s objectives. Now we want to apply that inventiveness and expertise to one of the most fundamental challenges facing the civil service: that of realising the potential of our huge data assets.”
Julia Lopez MP
Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Our sponsors and judges
The 2021 Civil Service Data Challenge was sponsored by four very senior figures, giving the project reach and influence across government. The seven judges, who included top data specialists from the Cabinet Office, ONS, HMRC and NTT DATA, selected first the eight ideas to develop within the programme, and then the four that would progress to the Final. There, they were joined by Cabinet Officer permanent secretary Alex Chisholm and Tamara Finkelstein, permanent secretary of Defra and the head of the policy profession, to select the overall winner.
The benefits for staff
Joining interdisciplinary, cross-departmental teams, the 2021 participants developed their skills in project management, business planning, digital technologies and partnership working, before showcasing their work to panels of top leaders. We wanted to find implementable ideas to aid the work of public servants and improve public services – but this scheme was also designed to boost the skills and career development of participating civil servants.
Matthew is the CEO for NHSX, a joint unit between the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England, set up to ensure that staff and patients have the technology they need.
Head of the Policy Profession & Permanent Secretary, Defra
Head of the Operational Delivery Profession & Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions
Chief Operating Officer, Civil Service and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office
Chief Digital and Information Officer, HMRC
Chief Executive NHS Digital
Head of Public Sector, NTT DATA UK
Chief Analyst, 10 Downing Street
Deputy National Statistician and Director General for Data Capability, ONS
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation, GDS
Executive Director, Central Digital and Data Office, Cabinet Office
Non Executive Board Member, Cabinet Office