David Durant
@bowsy.co.uk
I've been a long-time supporter of the government technology and transformation communities since 2009. I've worked for mySociety, the GLA, HackIT and GDS. I'm on the committees for GovCamp, TransformGov Talks and the UK Polyamory Association.
To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of launching the ONS website in 2026 (the highlight of my career) I'm going to have one last swing at a Gov big data initiative (but not 'Big Data!') and will return to the Civil Service as Head of Products & Services for the National Data Library in January!
November 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
If @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social wasn't so busy I'm sure he'd have a time-in-post graph for this, Chief Digital Officer and Chief Data Officer. Maybe for the next #PDDataBites .
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
New government chief technology officer sought as David Knott announces exit
Knott will step down from the role at the end of this year
www.civilserviceworld.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:50 AM
If @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social wasn't so busy I'm sure he'd have a time-in-post graph for this, Chief Digital Officer and Chief Data Officer. Maybe for the next #PDDataBites .
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
This kind of small update that is useful to a niche group of people is just great.
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/10/a...
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/10/a...
A year of Google Analytics 4 on GOV.UK
Discover what we’ve learned in the year since the GOV.UK website fully migrated to Google Analytics 4, and how our use of data is evolving as GOV.UK expands to multiple digital channels.
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:13 AM
This kind of small update that is useful to a niche group of people is just great.
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/10/a...
insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/10/a...
Reposted by David Durant
make it stop.
just. make. it. stop.
just. make. it. stop.
AI chatbots could help stop prisoner release errors, says justice minister
AI chatbots could help stop prisoner release errors, says justice minister
HMP Wandsworth gets ‘green light’ to use AI after team sent in to find ‘quick fixes’ after spate of mistakes
Artificial intelligence chatbots could be used to stop prisoners from being mistakenly released from jail, a justice minister told the House of Lords on Monday.
Lord Timpson said HMP Wandsworth had been given the “green light” to use artificial intelligence (AI) after a specialised team was sent in to find “some quick fixes”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
make it stop.
just. make. it. stop.
just. make. it. stop.
This mostly makes me think of my reading Dickens recently and in that there's a whole class of people who, when they hear someone is out of work, think it's a shame their children will starve but that's just the way of things.
And how we have so many people who think virtually the thing same now.
And how we have so many people who think virtually the thing same now.
A bit long term, but my favourite version of "how poor the past was" is in this chart.
Working hours go up (peaking at a 66 hour week), real wages go right.
Working hours go up (peaking at a 66 hour week), real wages go right.
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This mostly makes me think of my reading Dickens recently and in that there's a whole class of people who, when they hear someone is out of work, think it's a shame their children will starve but that's just the way of things.
And how we have so many people who think virtually the thing same now.
And how we have so many people who think virtually the thing same now.
Reposted by David Durant
Fifth edition of my digital welfare state newsletter now up on my website.
Reflections and news on the role of digital ID in welfare systems, the latest on the child benefit f*ck-up and how the UK is learning lessons, good and bad, from India
www.abdconsultancy.co.uk/blog/digital...
Reflections and news on the role of digital ID in welfare systems, the latest on the child benefit f*ck-up and how the UK is learning lessons, good and bad, from India
www.abdconsultancy.co.uk/blog/digital...
Digital Welfare State edition 005 — ABD Consultancy
Edition oo5 of the Digital Welfare State newsletter. Digital ID and fraud prevention among other topics
www.abdconsultancy.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Fifth edition of my digital welfare state newsletter now up on my website.
Reflections and news on the role of digital ID in welfare systems, the latest on the child benefit f*ck-up and how the UK is learning lessons, good and bad, from India
www.abdconsultancy.co.uk/blog/digital...
Reflections and news on the role of digital ID in welfare systems, the latest on the child benefit f*ck-up and how the UK is learning lessons, good and bad, from India
www.abdconsultancy.co.uk/blog/digital...
Okay. my NHS trust just sent me a reminder text message and a cancellation letter for the same appointment at the same time.
How are we so bad at this? I mean, I know the answer - but even so...
How are we so bad at this? I mean, I know the answer - but even so...
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Okay. my NHS trust just sent me a reminder text message and a cancellation letter for the same appointment at the same time.
How are we so bad at this? I mean, I know the answer - but even so...
How are we so bad at this? I mean, I know the answer - but even so...
Reposted by David Durant
November 9, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Reposted by David Durant
Friendship isn’t a consolation prize to be offered out of politeness or guilt at the end of a romantic relationship. It’s a whole different type of connection, and going from lovers to friends only works if all parties are committed to the transition and taking responsibility for their feelings.
November 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Friendship isn’t a consolation prize to be offered out of politeness or guilt at the end of a romantic relationship. It’s a whole different type of connection, and going from lovers to friends only works if all parties are committed to the transition and taking responsibility for their feelings.
Incredible thread from Steve. Please read.
I decided to spend this remembrance day educating myself about the sacrifices we're supposed to be remembering.
I now live on the atlantic coast of France, so decided to learn something about of the second world war here.
As a result, I've been down the most amazing rabbit hole of discovery...
I now live on the atlantic coast of France, so decided to learn something about of the second world war here.
As a result, I've been down the most amazing rabbit hole of discovery...
November 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Incredible thread from Steve. Please read.
Reposted by David Durant
Reposted by David Durant
It’s not at all clear to me how the BBC can do any kind of serious journalism if its top two bosses can be forced to quit over such an obviously confected scandal. There is no substantive error here. How can the BBC report on Trump, or Farage, or anyone else, in these circumstances?
November 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It’s not at all clear to me how the BBC can do any kind of serious journalism if its top two bosses can be forced to quit over such an obviously confected scandal. There is no substantive error here. How can the BBC report on Trump, or Farage, or anyone else, in these circumstances?
Reposted by David Durant
Absolute queen shit
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Absolute queen shit
@richardpope.org does a great job of showing that it's often senior leadership misunderstandings and desire for "big bang comms" that damage good work already in progress (this time on digital ID).
www.rpp.works/ways-of-doin...
www.rpp.works/ways-of-doin...
www.rpp.works
November 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
@richardpope.org does a great job of showing that it's often senior leadership misunderstandings and desire for "big bang comms" that damage good work already in progress (this time on digital ID).
www.rpp.works/ways-of-doin...
www.rpp.works/ways-of-doin...
Reposted by David Durant
Warren's doing the job the Labour party comms team should be doing.
Did you know that our Labour government are delivering the biggest boost to social housing in a generation?
£39bn investment committed so far.
Isn't that what you all wanted to see?
It's the difference a Labour government makes!
£39bn investment committed so far.
Isn't that what you all wanted to see?
It's the difference a Labour government makes!
November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Warren's doing the job the Labour party comms team should be doing.
Reposted by David Durant
🚨 CLOSING ON MONDAY | Waves Programme Manager
Join Demos and lead the ground-breaking Waves programme - starting with our first 3-month digital democracy trial with Camden Council, and then guiding the project through to its completion in December 2026.
Apply here ⬇️
demos.co.uk/programme-ma...
Join Demos and lead the ground-breaking Waves programme - starting with our first 3-month digital democracy trial with Camden Council, and then guiding the project through to its completion in December 2026.
Apply here ⬇️
demos.co.uk/programme-ma...
Programme Manager - Waves
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
🚨 CLOSING ON MONDAY | Waves Programme Manager
Join Demos and lead the ground-breaking Waves programme - starting with our first 3-month digital democracy trial with Camden Council, and then guiding the project through to its completion in December 2026.
Apply here ⬇️
demos.co.uk/programme-ma...
Join Demos and lead the ground-breaking Waves programme - starting with our first 3-month digital democracy trial with Camden Council, and then guiding the project through to its completion in December 2026.
Apply here ⬇️
demos.co.uk/programme-ma...
Reposted by David Durant
Yes the same Palantir that's been welcomed into UK public services by our tech-deranged government.
What does this even mean?
What does this even mean?
November 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Yes the same Palantir that's been welcomed into UK public services by our tech-deranged government.
What does this even mean?
What does this even mean?
Reposted by David Durant
Just had to write one of the most difficult messages I’ve ever sent at work 💛
It’s one of those moments that grounds you, and reconnects to the knowledge that we work with humans not robots.
AI will never replace good managers; it simply cannot replicate humanity and empathy.
It’s one of those moments that grounds you, and reconnects to the knowledge that we work with humans not robots.
AI will never replace good managers; it simply cannot replicate humanity and empathy.
November 7, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Just had to write one of the most difficult messages I’ve ever sent at work 💛
It’s one of those moments that grounds you, and reconnects to the knowledge that we work with humans not robots.
AI will never replace good managers; it simply cannot replicate humanity and empathy.
It’s one of those moments that grounds you, and reconnects to the knowledge that we work with humans not robots.
AI will never replace good managers; it simply cannot replicate humanity and empathy.
Reposted by David Durant
Theory: one of the big things holding back modernisation of the public sector/civil society is that almost all innovation funding flows via institutions that are themselves antiquated.
i.e. organisations with very low digital capability (universities, Combined and Local Authorities, etc). (1/n)
i.e. organisations with very low digital capability (universities, Combined and Local Authorities, etc). (1/n)
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Theory: one of the big things holding back modernisation of the public sector/civil society is that almost all innovation funding flows via institutions that are themselves antiquated.
i.e. organisations with very low digital capability (universities, Combined and Local Authorities, etc). (1/n)
i.e. organisations with very low digital capability (universities, Combined and Local Authorities, etc). (1/n)
Reposted by David Durant
Deeply disappointing that the Committee has chosen not to hear directly from terminally ill people or from families who have supported loved ones through assisted deaths abroad. A missed opportunity to truly reflect the needs and wishes of those most affected.
Assisted dying: Experts warns against complexity and bureaucracy
The House of Lords Select Committee on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill held its fifth and final day of oral evidence, during which it heard evidence from a range of pharmaceutical and leg...
humanists.uk
November 7, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Deeply disappointing that the Committee has chosen not to hear directly from terminally ill people or from families who have supported loved ones through assisted deaths abroad. A missed opportunity to truly reflect the needs and wishes of those most affected.
Reposted by David Durant
Going to "yes and" this by @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social and say there's also a GenX turn to the left - ppl who once thought themselves centrist seeing things they took for granted disappear. Eg last night's Hopeful Technologists meet-up had a distinct GenX flavour www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Meet gen X: middle-aged, enraged and radicalised by internet bile | Gaby Hinsliff
Who is driving the populist insurgency? It’s not grumpy pensioners or vulnerable teenagers – it’s my generation, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Going to "yes and" this by @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social and say there's also a GenX turn to the left - ppl who once thought themselves centrist seeing things they took for granted disappear. Eg last night's Hopeful Technologists meet-up had a distinct GenX flavour www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by David Durant
Big boost for affordable housing Southgate
Council plans to buy more than 200 homes on a development site to provide as affordable homes
enfielddispatch.co.uk/big-boost-fo...
Council plans to buy more than 200 homes on a development site to provide as affordable homes
enfielddispatch.co.uk/big-boost-fo...
Big boost for affordable housing Southgate
Council plans to buy more than 200 homes on a development site to provide as affordable homes
enfielddispatch.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Big boost for affordable housing Southgate
Council plans to buy more than 200 homes on a development site to provide as affordable homes
enfielddispatch.co.uk/big-boost-fo...
Council plans to buy more than 200 homes on a development site to provide as affordable homes
enfielddispatch.co.uk/big-boost-fo...
Reposted by David Durant
Welcome to Youth Parliament 🗳️
November 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Welcome to Youth Parliament 🗳️
Really quite disappointed in the hysterical language the usually laudable @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social is using in reference to Digital ID.
November 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Really quite disappointed in the hysterical language the usually laudable @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social is using in reference to Digital ID.