The public sector lacks the skills, funding and culture to successfully deliver digital public services, according to a survey of more than 400 public service leaders across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Business advisory firm Deloitte surveyed leaders across central and local government, the NHS, police and further and higher education on how their organisations are moving toward digital services.

Despite 86% saying it is essential to success, just 12% say they are actively involving and consulting citizens in the design of digital services, with only half having the ability within their organisations to capture citizens’ views and preferences.

89% say their organisation is pursuing digital services to cut costs but just 32% say that funding for the shift to digital within their organisations has increased and 28% have the right level of resources available to bring in expertise.

One-quarter say their organisation has sufficient skills within the organisation to execute their digital plans and one-third say their organisation’s leaders have the right level of digital skills.

Overall, just one-third have confidence that their organisation is well-placed to respond to digital trends.

83% say that procurement rules hinder their ability to source digital services, despite 74% of respondents saying that they rely on outsourced expertise.

Dr Danny McConnell, technology partner at Deloitte, said: “In terms of efficiency and money saved, there is a great deal to gain from digital public services. Citizens are accustomed to excellent digital services in other areas of their lives and do not accept that Government is immune from this. Our survey finds a disconnect between those designing digital public service and those that will use them.

“It is clear from our survey of local Northern Ireland public sector organisations that there is an appetite to deliver high quality digital services to our citizens, but challenges exist around culture, skills, governance and leadership.

“By embracing digital, public sector organisations in Northern Ireland have the opportunity to transform public services while delivering increased efficiency and an enhanced citizen experience.”