Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, for what reasons priorities on a digital approach have not been included in her Department's latest individual performance objectives for 2014-15.

DFID has published several documents that illustrate the importance placed on how digital can support our activities. First, our position is clearly outlined in our digital strategy (published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-international-development-digital-strategy-2012-to-2015). It confirms digital is an enabler that will help us achieve the departments overarching priorities. The annual update published January 2014 set out our plans for this year, and we are currently working on an update which will cover progress this year and plans for 2015.

Secondly we refer to our digital priorities in the Departmental Improvement Plan (published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-departmental-improvement-plan--2) as an integral part of the Departmental approach to continuous improvement and development.

Finally, (and this is referenced in the Permanent Secretary’s individual performance objectives as published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/329087/Mark_Lowcock_objectives_2014-15.pdf ) he is clear that improving digital capability is one of the Civil Service Reform priority areas.