It may only be 2022, but in this decade the world is already proving to be a very different place to the decade before.

The Covid-19 pandemic means that many citizens are contacting their local authority online for the very first time. Unable to communicate with officials face-to-face, they expect seamless and effective service through digital channels instead.

The use of data analytics and automation can improve the experience of users and deliver savings compared to the more traditional service-desk SLA approach.

The UK Government has initiated new telecoms security regulations, reflecting that the threat of cybercrime is as strong now as it has ever been.

The Economic impact of digital inclusion in the UK report has found every £1 invested in building essential digital skills contributes £9.48 to the UK economy.

As political leaders and civil servants react to an ever-increasing array of challenges, we consider how to make time for placemaking and digital projects.

How can levelling-up be truly achieved when there’s still a large gap between those who are digitally included and those in our communities who are not?

Tackling a challenge on the scale of the global climate emergency will require collective action and for every part of society – from governments, to businesses, organisations and citizens – to come together, galvanised by the one, common goal of reaching Net Zero.

Against a backdrop of varying policy support and shifting funding commitments, the rise of empowered communities across the UK is even more notable.

For the past five years the number of homeless people in the UK has been rising, with Crisis estimating that up to 200,000 families and individuals are now experiencing the most severe forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping.