But the cost is not the only question govt needs to answer to make this scheme work. Following our panel with @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @matthewfeeney.bsky.social @morganwild.bsky.social & Sir David Normington, I highlight some qs for govt: (4/4)

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...

Today in the committee DSIT's permanent secretary emphasised that the cost was not yet confirmed - "only once we've consulted that we will be really clear on what it is that we have to build and in what order" would a cost estimate be clearer (3/4)

But the OBR identified that "no specific funding" had been allocated and forecast a cost of £1.8bn over the next 3 years. The Chair of the science, innovation and tech committee wrote after the Budget that the minister for digital govt had told them it "wasn't yet possible" to assess the cost (2/4)

We’re going to be navigating a likely polarising environment with information fragmentation…

The chance to maintain common facts and a shared information space - alongside passionate disagreement and political debate - is one of the UK’s potential strengths. The BBC is surely essential for that

It takes time to set up a 'centre' in a department not used to acting as such - and all its ministers except Vallance have been reshuffled. There is not a clear vision of what a 'digital centre' does in UK govt - and still no digital and AI roadmap. Any perceived lack of faith by CO won't help (2/2)

Govt is only just getting around to implementing online verification with OneLogin, and the deadline of this has been pushed - and let’s not forget GOV.UK Verify! IDs are a different product, but joining up and verification in services is difficult. (2/2)

Given how important AI is to the govt’s plans, an AI Advisor in No. 10 is sensible. But is DSIT becoming the 'digital centre of govt' it wants to be? Will Leung be able to act as a bridge/cross-govt collaborator, or will she become subsumed by the centralising instincts of Whitehall? (4/4)

She is splitting her time between AISI and No. 10. A possible benefit/opportunity: join up between the research and risk thinking of AISI and driving the govt’s AI plan. But will she realistically be able to balance both roles? Will there be competing interests? (3/4)

Good news that they have found someone - hard shoes to fill, given Clifford's central role in the AI Opportunities Plan. But Leung is not new to government, DSIT or the AI landscape in the UK – she will not need as much time to understand her brief & will have existing relationships. (2/4)