Shaping the future of open data: the new Open Data Communities service

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Data
The homepage of the Open Data Communities platform shown on a laptop screen

Open data plays a vital role in supporting transparency, accountability and innovation across the public sector. Find out about the recent changes we have made to our Open Data Communities platform, which helps inform better decision-making, support the development of new services and helps users better understand their areas.

Cutting admin, not corners: AI in temporary accommodation

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Local AI
a housing estate

Local AI has been working with councils to explore how AI could reduce repetitive tasks such as drafting personalised housing plans, helping officers spend more time on prevention, casework and supporting local people. The team has developed an AI case workspace proof of concept to test how this could be done in practice.

Tackling planning delays: PropTech Innovation Fund Round 6 pilots now underway

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Data, Digital Planning, PropTech
Two surveyors in high visibility jackets, overseeing a housing construction site

11 consortiums of technology companies, local planning and combined authorities have been selected for Round 6 of the Digital Planning Programme’s PropTech Innovation Fund, to pilot digital solutions targeting blockers to housing delivery.

Renters’ Rights Act: how content design and policy collaborated to deliver the guidance

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Design, Ways of working
Screenshot of the Renters Rights Act overview for tenants page on GOV.UK

The Renters’ Right Act changed the law for 11 million tenants who live in private properties in England and the 2.3 million landlords who rent them out. Find out how content design and policy teams worked together to help them prepare for the changes, and what the teams learnt on the journey.

How GovPrint is supporting our efficiency and digital sustainability ambitions

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Technology, Tools and processes, Ways of working
a man using a printer

GovPrint is a cross-government cloud-based service that lets civil servants securely print documents from any enabled location. In this post, our Live Services team explains how it rolled out GovPrint across MHCLG offices, and how this shared solution supports our efficiency and sustainability ambitions.

Using AI to support planning decisions – what it means for planners and residents

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Data, Digital Planning
Minister for Data and Modern Digital Government Ian Murray, visiting Barnet Council to speak to council officers and see first-hand how the prototype is being developed.

A new AI planning prototype, developed with Google DeepMind and Faculty, is being tested with three local planning authorities to help officers process applications faster. The tool analyses applications and surfaces relevant policies while planning officers remain the key decision makers. Our ambition is to halve processing times for householder applications.

Extract is here: AI-powered planning data for every council in England 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Artificial Intelligence, Data, Digital Planning

Extract, a new AI-powered tool developed by MHCLG's Digital Planning Programme and i.AI, is now available for free, for every local planning authority in England. It converts planning documents into structured, usable data in minutes - cutting a process that can take officers up to two hours down to just two on average.

From conversations to insights: building Managing Local Conversations

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Tools and processes
Team members working together

The Digital Connect team (formerly Common Tools) in MHCLG builds standardised, reliable and reusable tools and platforms for everyone within the department. They help teams be more efficient and reduce operational costs. Learn how they’ve built Managing Local Conversations, a user-centred internal service that standardises engagement processes and makes insights easier to access.

Shape the future of voting: Join our Elections Digital team

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Careers, Elections
A mobile phone showing the register to vote page on GOV.UK

The Elections Digital team in MHCLG is growing and looking for a range of digital professionals to join them in providing excellent digital services which support citizens to exercise their right to vote. Find out about what the team is working on, why it matters, and the exciting opportunities on offer.

The IT Reuse for Good charter: creating social impact with everyday technology

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Technology, Ways of working
A young person's hands typing on a laptop, with an adult's hand next to it holding a pen

MHCLG is the first department signed up to DSIT’s Reuse for Good charter – and we’re already making a difference. In this blog post, we share how old tech devices can provide quality second lives to digitally excluded people who urgently need them, and useful tips gathered by our Live Services team along the way.