Modernising with Purpose: A manifesto for a digital Britain

Article

This report outlines a policy agenda structures around the three strands of 'modernising', delineating' and 'recognising', and argues that these priorities can provide new purpose to the way in which Britain modernises its public institutions and economy.

"Our digital future is too central to economic, political and social structures and processes to leave to the technical experts or the politicians. This book will help broaden and inform debate over the real world stakes in the digital choices facing Britain in today's global network of networks." Professor William Dutton, Director, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

The spread of digital technologies throughout our society has created new opportunities, new threats and new responsibilities for policy-makers.

The task of modernising public services and the UK economy using new technology is a critical one, but must not crowd out constitutional and legal concerns about our safety and privacy. Equally, the diffusion of these new tools through civil society offers significant new ways of understanding and conducting democratic processes.

This report outlines a policy agenda structured around the three strands of 'modernising', 'delineating' and 'recognising', and argues that these priorities can provide new purpose to the way in which Britain modernises its public institutions and economy.

Related items

  1. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, River Thames and Westminster Bridge

    Taxing choices: Taking the public’s temperature ahead of the budget

    The stakes for a government are rarely higher than at a budget. Every chancellor has dealt with this differently. Ken Clarke would draft his budget speech with cigars and whisky, Gordon Brown pored over every word in what officials called…
  2. Scottish parliament building at Holyrood and Calton Hill, Edinburgh

    Great expectations: Rejuvenating the national debate in Scotland

    Fresh IPPR Scotland polling shows that politicians must raise their game if next year’s election is a to be serious debate about the challenges facing Scotland and potential solutions. 
  3. A Black man in a bright orange high vis jacket and hard hat stands in the middle of a road holding a sign that says 'STOP - WORKS'

    Unfinished business: Redressing inequality in British policy and Black lives

    As conversations about race and equality continue to evolve, Black History Month remains a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and recommit to progress.