The UK government is urged to enhance the role of civil servants as stewards of government capability to ensure effective delivery during political instability. The Institute for Government's annual Whitehall Monitor report recommends establishing a statutory stewardship responsibility for the civil service, inspired by New Zealand's Public Service Act of 2020. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's recent reorganization of government departments, including the creation of four new departments, underscores the need for such reforms. Key figures in the discussion include Rhys Clyne, Dame Una O’Brien, Philip Rycroft, and Sally Warren, who provide insights on the implications of these changes.

The article discusses various topics related to technology and business, with a focus on cyber security, AI, and digital transformation. It highlights the need for oversight in human augmentation tech due to potential military uses, the poor state of cyber security in UK football clubs, and the evolution of identity management by SailPoint Technologies. The UK government is urged to exercise caution with autonomous weapons, while Microsoft's investment in AI datacentre capacity in the UK is praised. The lack of digital skills training among UK workers is noted, and BT Group's network simplification for quicker services is mentioned. The article also covers the extension of Cologne Bonn Airport's digital radio network, the spread of alternative broadband providers in the UK, and the Post Office IT scandal. Yarra Valley Water's smart meter rollout, AWS's new model evaluation tool, and efforts to combat online fraud are discussed. Collaborations to promote immersion cooling in datacentres and to fight climate change are mentioned, along with a ransomware attack on the British Library. The government's AI training framework, the slow response to the Post Office scandal, and law enforcement actions against ransomware in Ukraine are reported. Other topics include Aerodyne's drone platform powered by AWS, Zoom's AI-driven future, the widening scope of Okta's helpdesk breach, Meta's GDPR complaint, and digital initiatives by The Very Group and Carlsberg. The article concludes with insights into SAP's need for trust rebuilding and the expansion of 5G services in APAC.

Lee-Anne McKinnell, the managing director of the South African National Space Agency’s space science programme, has passed away at 52 after a short illness. McKinnell was instrumental in establishing Sansa and recently oversaw the construction of a new space weather centre. Tributes have poured in globally, highlighting her significant contributions to space science and her impact on the community. Jonathan Ward will serve as acting managing director until a permanent replacement is found.

Cruelty Free International applauds the UK government's renewed commitment to phasing out animal testing, as announced by Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Sue Hayman. The initiative will be led by Lord Patrick Vallance, focusing on creating a cross-departmental Roadmap to reduce the 2.68 million annual animal tests. Despite a slight decrease in animal testing, significant suffering persists, with non-animal alternatives available. The Labour Party's strong track record on animal protection is highlighted, with plans to collaborate with various stakeholders to implement concrete actions.

The UK government's Online Safety Bill aims to regulate social media by requiring tech companies to identify child sex abuse material in private messages, leading to a standoff with encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal. WhatsApp's Will Cathcart and other tech leaders argue that such measures compromise privacy and could set a dangerous precedent globally. The bill has sparked debates in the UK, EU, and Australia about balancing child safety and privacy. While some government officials and cybersecurity experts support the bill, others, including former ministers and tech companies, warn of potential risks to encryption and privacy. The bill's future remains uncertain as discussions continue.

The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, intended to replace the EU's GDPR post-Brexit, was debated in the UK Parliament. While the government claims the bill will reduce costs and complexity for businesses, opposition MPs and industry experts express concerns about its impact on data adequacy with the EU, individual rights, and the independence of the Information Commissioner’s Office. The bill aims to simplify compliance for small businesses and enhance the use of AI, but critics argue it does not significantly deviate from existing GDPR frameworks and may increase legal complexities and costs.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is set to establish its second headquarters in Salford as part of the UK government's Places for Growth programme, aiming to decentralize civil service roles from London and the South East. This move is expected to double the current staff of 200 in the Greater Manchester area and contribute to the region's thriving technology sector, which includes over 1,600 startups and scaleups. Cabinet Office minister John Glen and secretary of state for science, innovation and technology Michelle Donelan emphasized the importance of representing diverse communities in policymaking and tapping into Manchester's rich legacy of scientific and technological progress.