DSIT ramps up IT spending to empower workforce
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has significantly increased its IT spending, investing nearly £5 million in laptops, phones, and tablets over the past two years. This investment is a key part of DSIT’s strategy to scale up internal digital capabilities and empower its workforce, supporting the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in technology and artificial intelligence.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and analysed by Parliament Think Tank reveals a sharp year-on-year rise in device procurement. Between June 2023 and May 2025, DSIT purchased 3,435 laptops, 4,466 mobile phones, and 19 tablets – with laptop acquisitions up 48% and mobile phone purchases surging by 97% in the latest financial year alone.
The expenditure on mobile phones alone has tripled, jumping from £531,000 in 2023–24 to £1.58 million in 2024–25, underscoring a strategic push towards mobile-first, hybrid, and flexible working environments.
This surge in IT investment is more than a routine technology upgrade. It reflects DSIT’s commitment to building a digitally agile workforce equipped with the tools necessary to drive complex innovation, policy development, and AI safety initiatives. As artificial intelligence and digital transformation reshape industries and public services, DSIT’s operational spend is directly aligned with the government’s broader mission to futureproof Britain’s digital economy and maintain its competitive edge on the global stage.
By empowering its employees with state-of-the-art technology, DSIT aims to foster collaboration, agility, and efficiency – all critical components to delivering on the UK’s tech and AI leadership ambitions.
Sachin Agrawal, Managing Director for Zoho UK commented: “As the UK strengthens its position as a global leader in science, technology and AI it is encouraging to see DSIT making a strategic and long-term investment in the digital capabilities of its workforce. In today’s fast moving digital landscape it is becoming increasingly important to empower employees with secure, modern tools that are essential to foster collaboration and agility.
“This forward-thinking approach sets a strong example for businesses and other public sector organisations to consider following in the footsteps of to align workforce enablement with innovation goals to deliver against complex challenges. This will not only enhance productivity and operational effectiveness but also reinforce the Uks broader ambition to lead in digital transformation and AI policy.”
Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics, commented: “It’s encouraging to see DSIT significantly ramp up IT spending, as investing in modern, secure technology is essential to supporting the UK’s leadership in AI governance and digital transformation. But infrastructure alone isn't enough. As we’ve seen from recent high-profile failures, better, faster, and more secure devices can’t compensate for weak passwords or a lack of data skills. To be truly future-proof, investment in infrastructure must go hand in hand with investment in data maturity and skills, ensuring teams can identify risks and develop AI systems responsibly, ethically, and safely.”
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