iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 14/09/2026

Here's what I don't get. If AI is going to take our jobs and therefore our income, who's going to buy the AI services? Government and business perhaps, but those won't survive without income from taxes and sales. Other than UBI what's the plan?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 09/09/2026

Is pausing reorganisation perhaps to better align it with devolution a prudent move?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 24/08/2026

There's still a small bit of work to do sourcing the data, but my prototype #localgov dashboard now has 1,383,588 lines of tech spend data from 360 UK councils. You can view the figures for 25/26 here: architect.rumens.uk/contracts/co...

architect.rumens.uk

Councils – LG Technology Spend

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 23/08/2026

Took me a while to work out what was going on with this map. www.affinitywater.co.uk/our-supply-a...

affinitywater.co.uk

Affinity Water

Affinity Water Corporate Website

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 14/08/2026

Blimey. They was exciting on a train, about 50 alerts all going off at once.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 03/08/2026

Spotted in the magazine rack of a supermarket.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 05/07/2026

Claude and I have been busy over the past couple of weeks building a #localgov technology spend dashboard. It still needs a bit of work, but you can see an early version here and comments are very welcome: architect.rumens.uk/contracts/su...

architect.rumens.uk

Suppliers – LG Technology Spend

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 31/05/2026

Imagine a platform that allows people across the public sector to offer small amounts of time to share their skills with council officers. I did, and I built a prototype here: architect.rumens.uk/match/share....

architect.rumens.uk

Local Government Skills Exchange

A little help makes a lot of difference. Share your skills across the public sector on an informal pro-bono basis. Anyone with a gov.uk email address can join.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 10/05/2026

I started making a thing to show how elements of a #localgov technology stack could be joined and added a few connections to it. Have a play and let me know what you think. architect.rumens.uk/lgam_editor_...

architect.rumens.uk

LGAM Connection Editor

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 08/05/2026

We published a new version of the #localgov Architecture Model today, which now includes all levels in a council's tech stack. It's still only a high-level overview, and the next stage is to build out some of the layers under Business Areas. architecture.cddo.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/gds-local/

architecture.cddo.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Local Government Architecture Model - GOV.UK

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 07/05/2026

Good luck to everyone in #localgov officiating elections across Britain today. It can be a long few days, but without your efforts our system of democracy wouldn't function.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 26/04/2026

I'm trying to recall the most management BS line I've used in a meeting, and I think I've settled on... "if you want people to think you're a magician, sometimes you have to pull a rabbit out a hat" What's yours?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 29/03/2026

I've updated my graph following this week's Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) announcement. It shows for some areas LGR is going to be even more complex than first thought, with not just counties, but many districts being split up to form new unitary councils. graphcommons.com/graphs/d6b35...

graphcommons.com

Local Government | Graph Commons

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 17/03/2026

Spotted this on the Elizabeth Line today. To opt out, you need to turn Wi-Fi on your device off.

Wi-Fi data collection

TfL collects Wi-Fi connection data at some stations on the Elizabeth line to better understand journey patterns and improve TfL services. TfL will not identify individuals. You can opt out by turning off your device’s Wi-Fi. For more information visit tfl.gov.uk/wifi-data-collection

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 08/02/2026

Despite there being a National Proof of Age Standards Scheme, each of these providers seem to have a different application process, ranging from printing off a PDF, to being able verify existing ID digitally. www.pass-scheme.org.uk/card-supplie...

pass-scheme.org.uk

Apply for Card | The National Proof of Age Standards Scheme

Current National suppliers include: CitizenCard, Civiliancard, OneID4U, Validate UK and Young Scot

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Reposted by Phil Rumens

Aoife @chiefbreenie.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Come join @rumens.uk and me at GDS Local as our Senior Delivery Manager. Closing date: 9 Feb Location: Bristol, London, Manchester. Help us bridge central and local gov digital to create seamless experiences for users. www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cg...

civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

Quick Check Needed

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 17/01/2026

The Roadmap for Modern Digital Government has a commitment that GDS works with #localgov to co-create a vision including shared products and components of a technology stack. If this is of interest to you what are your thoughts? roadmap-for-modern-digital-government.campaign.gov.uk/join-up-serv...

roadmap-for-modern-digital-government.campaign.gov.uk

Joining up public services through stronger local and central government collaboration

GDS Local is driving collaboration between central and local government to build faster, user-centred digital services.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 17/01/2026

Wish I could be at #ukgc26 today. If you are, do post and blog about it, to share the innovation and collaboration across the internet.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 20/12/2025

There are many Christmas songs but very few Easter songs. Why is that?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 22/11/2025

For the past 11 years I've been keeping an index of posts about #localGDS / #GDSLocal. I've just added the first for 2025, which is probably most significant. "People across UK to benefit from easier access to local services as councils get digital boost" github.com/LocalGovDigi... #localgov

github.com

Local GDS

Contribute to LocalGovDigital/localgovdigital.github.io development by creating an account on GitHub.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 13/11/2025

Hello Leeds, it's been a while.

A sign reading Welcome to Leeds Station.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 18/10/2025

This week: ▶️ Went to Taunton to talk with officers at Somerset Council. ▶️ Presented at the Technical Design Council; spoke about the pressures on councils and some of the positive things happening with technology. ▶️ Took part in a GOV.UK App workshop for #localgov.

The outside of the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 30/09/2025

Hello Birmingham.Just passing through on my way to Sheffield today.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 26/09/2025

Still waiting for the announcement of digital ego and digital superego.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 24/09/2025

Do you notice anything new on this list of teams at the Government Digital Service stand at #DigiGovExpo today?

List of GDS teams, reading I.AI, GOV.UK App, GOV.UK Chat, GOV.UK Wallet, One Login, Government Cyber Unit, GDS local government, Digital Backbone, Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence, National Underground Assets Register.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 09/09/2025

I'm at @techuk.bsky.social Building the Smarter State event tomorrow. If you're also attending and fancy a chat about anything #localgov #digital related, do please say hello.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 13/08/2025

It's encouraging to see more service design roles being advertised in #localgov, in recent months. This example is at Westmorland and Furness. recruitment.cumbria.gov.uk/trentl_webre...

recruitment.cumbria.gov.uk

Job profile

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 06/08/2025

This Briefing Room episode on the history and future of ID cards in the UK was a great listen, with the added welcome surprise that Rachel contributed to the discussion.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 28/07/2025

It looks like existing councils going through local government reorganisation will require written consent from the successor council for any IT contract worth in excess of £100k revenue spend during the lifetime of the contract. www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.uk

Financial decisions before local government reorganisation

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 27/07/2025

My most prolific chilli plant this year is also one that's been outside since May. Definitely a result of the hot weather this year, and perhaps a sign of things to come.

A Hungarian Wax chilli plant with many chillies of various colours.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 26/07/2025

I just "verified my age" through a service that uses facial age estimation. What checks are in place in these services to stop me falsely verifying my age using a picture I printed out?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 08/07/2025

"In an era of growing mistrust in public institutions and traditional democratic processes, it is even more important for AI in the public sector to be seen as trustworthy" This report from @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social is a good read. www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/policy-brief...

adalovelaceinstitute.org

Licence to build

Public attitudes to public sector AI

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 01/07/2025

Interesting to see the GOV.UK App already has a your local services section, albeit just a link to council websites at the moment.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 29/06/2025

Hi Bluesky. Can anyone give me some insight into ORCATS (Operational Research Computerised Allocation of Tickets to Services), used for real time reservation and revenue sharing on tickets between train operating companies please?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 21/05/2025

Sometimes when I click the Applause reaction in Teams, I actually mean it as a slow hand clap.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 13/05/2025

I was delighted to be able to able to give evidence in Parliament today to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's inquiry on the Digital centre of government. I hope I represented #localgov #digital well. You can watch and make your own mind up here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 11/05/2025

Really enjoyed the Are you Listening Festival in Reading yesterday. A huge variety of acts at venues across the town, which were really busy (but not uncomfortably so) even at 4pm.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 07/05/2025

I'll be giving evidence at a Science, Innovation and Technology Committee inquiry meeting next week. Obviously the questions and discussion will be led by the Committee, but what might you mention in relation to #localgov #digital, if the opportunity arose? committees.parliament.uk/event/24188/...

committees.parliament.uk

13 May 2025 - Science, Innovation and Technology Committee - Oral evidence session - Committees - UK Parliament

09:00 - TBC

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 06/05/2025

Could small language models be a big idea for the public sector? Something by me on whether a faster, cheaper form of Gen AI with potentially less environmental impact, might keep the automation of UK public sector tasks, within the UK and the public sector. philrumens.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-bi...

philrumens.blogspot.com

A big idea for small language models

It's likely there are hundreds of solutions that utilise generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) already in use across the public sector....

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 05/05/2025

Thunderbolts* isn't multi-layered, deep, or meaningful, but it does do what sci-fi and fantasy can do well; featuring topics or subjects not always covered in blockbuster, mainstream cinema to the fore.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 01/05/2025

Good luck to all my #localgov colleagues across England who are working today, tonight, and tomorrow on local elections.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 29/04/2025

This looks like a great event from @local.gov.uk for #localgov #digital colleagues, where they'll be sharing their discovery findings on considerations for cyber, digital, data and technology, as part of Local Government Reorganisation. events.teams.microsoft.com/event/62977d...

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 27/04/2025

Really liked #TheAssembly on ITV last night. I'm not a fan of Danny Dyer but the format is great and I'm looking forward to future episodes with other interviewees.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 25/04/2025

Hi #localgov colleagues. How many of you are using Ark or Crown data centres to host some or all of your services, and how many of you are even aware that this might be an option please? Do reply in my DMs if you don't want to make your response public.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 19/04/2025

After some research online and a couple of phone calls I reduced my vehicle breakdown cover and home insurance quotes by £35 and £39 from the same providers for the same cover. Whilst this is great for me, it does worry me that those without the skills or confidence to do this are paying too much.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 14/04/2025

I found the first episode of Season 7 of Black Mirror hard to watch. I think it's probably because once you work out the premise (services introducing advertising and upping their cost) many follow a formula, so not only are they grim but they're predictable too. Does anyone else find this?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 06/04/2025

Great win for Newbury RFC against Chichester RFC yesterday to avoid relegation, in the final league match of the season. What brilliant weather too; the contrast of being huddled under the shelter of the clubhouse from the wind and rain just a few weeks ago is amazing.

Newbury RFC playing Chichester RFC. The photo is taken from a high vantage point near the half way line of the pitch. It's a bright sunny day and the majority of the players in the middle of the field. The clubhouse can be seen on the other side of the pitch, left and middle of the picture, with the car park on the right.

The scoreboard at Newbury RFC. It reads Home 37, Visitors 5, Time 40.

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