Thank you for your ideas!
Through the Civil Service Data Challenge, we sought ideas from civil servants on how government can improve its use of data – and volunteers to work with senior leaders and technical specialists on taking forward the best ideas.
Entries closed on 29 July: we received 120 ideas from civil servants in a huge range of grades, roles, professions and organisations, and are currently examining these ideas in advance of the first judge’s meeting. Thank you to all those who volunteered or submitted an idea!
“I am delighted to be sponsoring the Data Challenge in its second year, having seen the extraordinary response we got from teams across the Civil Service last year.
“The enthusiasm and skill of the competing teams was equalled by the quality and ingenuity of their proposals. Last year’s finalists are already driving real world improvements in public services.”
Alex Chisholm
Chief Operating Officer, Civil Service, and Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office
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.”
“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
Former 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
Former Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Our sponsors and judges
The 2022 Civil Service Data Challenge is sponsored by very senior figures, giving the project reach and influence across government. The judges, who include top data specialists from the Civil Service and NTT DATA, will select first the eight ideas to develop within the programme, and then the four that will go forward to the Final.
Government Chief Digital Officer
Heather Wheeler MP was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, in addition to her current role as an Assistant Government Whip, on 8 February 2022.
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
Non Executive Board Member, Cabinet Office