Digital Strategy for Wales: Mission 5 – Digital Connectivity

Post by Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport

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This is the sixth in a series of blogs outlining the ambitions and plans for our Digital Strategy for Wales. Further information can be found in the other posts in the series: introductory blog ; Mission 1 ; Mission 2 ; Mission 3 ; Mission 4.

Mission 5: Services are supported by fast and reliable infrastructure

Everywhere we turn, digital technology is driving improvements in almost every aspect of our lives.  Of course, without the underlying infrastructure which connects our computers, devices and online services, there can be no digitisation.

The Covid pandemic has highlighted the need for greater connectivity speeds and broadband access, and as we continue to social distance, we are becoming more dependent on digital services for home working, e-learning, attendance at virtual GP appointments, online events and much more.  Since the start of the pandemic, many more people have needed to access public services online and there has been an increased reliance on the internet for information and advice which has driven the transformation of digital services.

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Digital Strategy for Wales: Mission 4 – Digital Inclusion

Post by Julie James, MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

This is the fifth in a series of blogs outlining the ambitions and plans for our Digital Strategy for Wales. Further information can be found in the other posts in the series: introductory blog ; Mission 1 ; Mission 2 ; Mission 3.

Mission 4: equip people with the motivation, access, skills and confidence to engage with an increasingly digital world, based on their needs

I am a passionate, driven, advocate for digital inclusion. The pandemic has highlighted our reliance on digital – whether it has been to access health services, maintain contact with loved ones or carry out routine daily activities such as ordering groceries.

However, for those who are not digitally confident, this greater dependence on digital has emphasised the ever widening digital divide. Digital inclusion is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It is essential to be part of a modern society. That is why it underpins all of the missions in our digital strategy.

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Cross-cutting and post-16 education statistics during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Cymraeg

Our spring 2021 statistical publications on post-16 education during 2019/20 will be different from previous years. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on many aspects of our society, not least education. Learning was disrupted following the lockdown back in March and the summer examination series was cancelled. These major changes affect our reporting and we want your feedback on our proposed approach.

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Digital Strategy for Wales: Mission 3 – Data and Collaboration

Posted by Glyn Jones, Chief Digital Officer, Welsh Government

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

This is the fourth in a series of blogs outlining the ambitions and plans for our Digital Strategy for Wales. Further information can be found in the other posts in the series: introductory blog ; Mission 1 ; Mission 2.

Mission 3 – Data and Collaboration: Services are improved by working together, with data and knowledge being used and shared

When we think about how we can do things better digitally, we often overlook the importance of data. Data underpins everything digital – whether it’s the data we put in, such as the password to access online banking, or the data that comes out, like the weather forecast for the following day.

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Sowing the seeds of digital data collection

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

As you’d expect, here in Welsh Government we gather a wide range of data, and one of our longest running surveys is the Welsh Agricultural Survey which has been running since 1867! This is a large survey and every year farmers provide us with lots of information about their land, livestock and the people who work on their Welsh farms.

Things have moved on a lot since 1867 and this year we were able test out whether we could take a more digital approach for collecting this information. Up until this year, farmers would complete paper forms and send them to us to process and bring together the data so that we could analyse it. Whilst this approach is well established, it’s not the most efficient method and also not necessarily the easiest way for farmers to provide us with their information.

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Digital Strategy for Wales: Mission 2 – Digital Economy

Post by Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport

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This is the third in a series of blogs outlining the ambitions and plans for our Digital Strategy for Wales. Please see the introductory blog for further background and Mission 1 on digital services for what we have published so far.  

Mission 2 – Drive economic growth, productivity and resilience by embracing and exploiting digital innovation.

As I’ve already said in my first blog, digital is not just about technology – it’s about people. The future of our economy is no different.

As we emerge from the pandemic and exit the EU, digital innovation will continue as a disruptive force in our lives. But this disruption has benefits. It will release people from mundane tasks so they can be more creative and productive. It will support higher skilled jobs of the future. It will open new markets for trade. It will help drive a well-being economy for the people and businesses of Wales.  

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Guest Blog: Unlocking the power of health data for Wales

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In this guest blog find out about the aims of the National Data Resource (NDR) and how you can register to hear more through their webinar series.

Health and social care providers in Wales have faced unprecedented capacity challenges throughout the pandemic response. The media has referred to a data driven response, to modelling and forecasting.  Clinicians have spoken about the need to have the right data at the right time and in the right format to make informed decisions. In Wales we are taking a leap forward to address these challenges with the National Data Resource (NDR).

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Digital Strategy for Wales: Mission 1 – Digital Services

Post by Glyn Jones, Chief Digital Officer, Welsh Government

Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn Gymraeg

This is the second in a series of blogs outlining the ambitions and plans for our Digital Strategy for Wales. Please see the introductory blog for further background.   

Mission 1 – Digital Services: Deliver and modernise services to a common set of standards so that they are simple, secure and convenient

As the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport said in his introductory blog earlier this week, digital is more about people and a mind-set than about technology. It is about modernising services within organisations and delivering services across organisational boundaries, based around user needs.

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Digital Strategy for Wales – setting the context

Post by Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport

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It’s not just about computers. Let’s just be clear about that at the start.

The term ‘digital’ covers a lot, but in essence it’s about using technology to make things better – to make firms more productive or to create new products and markets. And to develop services that meet the needs of customers.

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