Public Sector Could Save £7.2bn

A “technology gap” is causing the public sector to miss out on £7.2bn worth of annual savings, according to new research.

The report, written by telecoms company O2 and the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr), claims that front-line community teams suffer from a lack of connectivity while out and about.

Among those affected a health and social workers, as well as local government – but O2 and Cebr claim measures can be taken to rectify the situation.

“The findings in the report highlight the crucial role technology has to play in supporting these organisations, both in terms of cost savings and the delivery of services,” claimed Bill D’Arcy, public sector managing director at O2.

The study recommends that government empower workers to work remotely and give them access to the right connectivity tools.

By doing this, says the report, the average loss of 53 hours – about £2.2bn - a year per employee could be saved and put back into other services.

Productivity Levels Could Be Improved

Cebr and O2 also say that productivity needs a boost, adding that improved connectivity could provide this by reducing the time taken to complete tasks.

Improved abilities to work on the move allows workers to update information in real-time with no to-and-froing from the office, the organisations say.

The report also recommends boosting the number of days an employee works from home by 22 days – a 90% increase on current levels – although they must be given the right tools before work/life balance can improve.

“The right investment in digital technology can have a real impact on social value, for example providing frontline staff with devices to empower them to work more flexibly, or giving doctors the technology to deliver remote diagnosis to patients,” claimed D’Arcy.

“Government and businesses urgently need to work closely together to make sure that crucial public services are fit for the future,” he added.

© 24N.biz