Many of the new opportunities opened up by data technologies depend on better sharing and exchange of data—but currently, many departmental systems speak different languages. Even within one organisation, datasets may for example be stored in various formats, held in incompatible systems, maintained to variable quality standards, and compiled using different definitions. Public servants hold huge data assets; but until these datasets can be linked together, much of their potential value cannot be realised.

Many of the answers lie in implementing common data standards—but this throws up a set of new challenges. How should standards be decided and introduced? How can departments be encouraged to adopt them, while retaining the autonomy to focus resources on their top policy goals? And who should be responsible for overseeing delivery and monitoring progress?

At this GGF webinar, civil service leaders from around the world discussed how best to introduce and promote common data standards—supporting better analysis and policymaking, while unlocking much more rapid progress towards truly digital, user-focused service delivery.

Panellists

• Webinar chair: Siobhan Benita, Former UK senior civil servant
• Sigrit Siht, Director of Data Policy, Department of State Information Systems, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Estonia
• Tom Dufour, Director General, Strategic Data Management Branch, Statistics Canada
• Justin Marsico, Chief Data Officer, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Treasury Department, USA
• Nadun Muthukumarana, Data Analytics Partner, Deloitte UK
• Sue Bateman, Deputy Director, Data and Innovation, Government Digital Service, UK

This webinar hosted by Global Government Forum with Deloitte as a knowledge partner explored how governments can guard against a further rise in existing financial, well-being and health inequalities as countries seek to rebuild their economies, close their budget deficits in the wake of the pandemic.

Since the 2008 financial crisis, many countries have experienced slow economic growth, flat-lining household incomes and weakening job security. These problems have their own painful consequences, fostering social discord, public disillusionment and the rise of populist politicians. And now the arrival of COVID-19, which hits the weakest hardest, threatens to exacerbate existing financial, well-being and health inequalities.

So as countries seek to rebuild their economies – and, ultimately, to close their budget deficits ¬– in the wake of the pandemic, it will be important to guard against a further rise in inequality. How, for example, can civil servants ensure that pandemic stimulus spending reaches the most vulnerable? How could the worst-hit workers and businesses be supported to find new income streams? Which tax and social security policies could promote growth while protecting the weakest? And which public sector reforms could ensure that essential services, such as social care, remain accessible and effective?

At this Global Government Forum webinar, civil service leaders from around the world discussed the policies and services that could foster truly inclusive growth – ensuring that as we exit this crisis, we do not repeat the errors.

Panellists:

• Webinar chair Siobhan Benita, former UK senior civil servant
• Clare Moriarty, former UK Permanent Secretary of Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and former head of Department for Exiting the EU
• Dr Stephanie Allen, Global Public Health & Social Services Leader, Deloitte

For 12 years, governments around the world have worked to plug the holes torn in their balance sheets by the credit crunch and its painful after-effects. In many countries, it’s been an uphill battle: ageing populations require higher spending on public services; flat-lining earnings depress income tax receipts; the shift into a digital world weakens governments’ ability to tax economic activity.

Now a still more costly crisis has arrived, demanding vast levels of public spending as economies stall and tax revenues dry up. How can governments act to restore their public finances, while providing citizens with the services they need?

At this webinar, senior leaders from civil services, international organisations and expert bodies discussed how governments can develop the policies, services and reforms that will enable countries to once again balance income and outgoings. What have we learned from our response to the financial crisis? How can civil servants improve efficiency and effectiveness in public spending? How should tax systems be remodelled to fit today’s world? And can nations both close budget deficits, and ensure that this virus—which hits the weakest hardest—doesn’t deepen existing inequalities?

Panellists

• Veiko Tali, Secretary General, Ministry of Finance, Estonia
• Markus Sovala, Director General, Economic Policy Coordinator, Finland
• Michael Flynn, Government & Public Services - Global Industry Leader, Deloitte Ireland LLP

The pandemic has inflicted huge economic damage around the world: over six months, according to the International Labour Organization, we have seen a fall in global working hours equivalent to 400 million full-time jobs. Governments are now focusing on adopting a variety of measures to reset their economies, with some taking the opportunity to undertake a more thorough overhaul.

Ploughing investments into public transport, renewable power generation, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles, some nations are pursuing “green recoveries”—hoping to restore growth and create new jobs while hitting carbon emissions targets and retooling their economies around the growth industries of tomorrow.

But this approach prompts some big questions. Will green recoveries get off the ground more slowly? What mechanisms and strategies would best stimulate sustainable growth? And how can nations reshape their economies without abandoning the communities dependent on carbon-intensive industries? This webinar explored the decisions facing governments as they consider whether to jump-start their stalled economies—or to change the engine of growth.

Deloitte Speakers:

• Dan Markham: National Leader, Asset and Economic Advisory , Deloitte Canada

Deloitte and the Global Government Forum recently brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to explore how governments can accelerate data sharing in the transport sector, create regulatory frameworks to safeguard privacy and competition, and improve the efficiency of transport networks.

As a new mobility paradigm emerges, how can governments support data-sharing between transport strategists, planners and operators? Data analysis is an increasingly essential tool for regulators and other public transit decision-makers. This is especially the case as transit systems adjust to dramatic changes resulting from government efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling managers to understand user patterns as they fluctuate due to stay-at-home orders or lockdowns.

Access the webinar recording to hear the perspectives of public and private sector leaders who exchanged insights and ideas around how we can get data—and transit users—moving more safely and easily.

Featured Speakers:

• Thomas Deloison, Mobility Director | World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
• Faye DiMassimo, Senior Advisor to the Mayor for Transportation and Infrastructure | Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
• Alex Schock, Head of Programme Delivery & Data | Network Rail
• Simon Dixon, Global Transportation Leader | Deloitte UK
• Rana Sen, Transportation and Smart City Initiative Lead | Deloitte US
• Nadun Muthukumarana, Lead Partner for Data Analytics in Government & Public Services | Deloitte UK
• Piyush Pandey, Global Smart Cities Cyber Leader | Deloitte US