Top Five Digital Services Public Sector Buyers Will Purchase in 2026

Digital transformation continues to be one of the highest priorities for the UK public sector, with a strong focus on modernising legacy systems, improving citizen experiences, and ensuring security and compliance. According to the UK Government Digital Strategy 2022–2025, digital services underpin efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity in public delivery.

The UK public sector now spends over £26 billion annually on digital technology, according to the 2025 State of Digital Government Review. This includes:

• AI investments of approximately £2 billion by 2029/30

• Supercomputing infrastructure funding of £750 million by 2029/30

• Cybersecurity funding of £2.6 billion allocated in the 2021 Spending Review

The government’s digital priorities include modernising corporate systems, improving data architecture for public spending, and funding initiatives such as Shared Services to increase efficiency and productivity. This sustained investment underlines why digital transformation services remain central to public sector procurement.

Based on procurement frameworks, industry reporting, and ongoing investment trends, the following five digital transformation services are those most likely to dominate UK public sector procurement in 2026.

1. Cloud migration and managed public cloud

The UK government’s Cloud First Policy has been in place for over a decade, but demand for scalable, secure public cloud services continues to rise. By 2026, the public sector is expected to focus on:

• Secure migration playbooks that minimise downtime and risk.

• Proven certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus.

• Hybrid and multi-cloud flexibility, as buyers seek to avoid vendor lock-in.

Evidence from the Grand View Research report shows that the UK public cloud market is projected to reach USD 19.71 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.1% from 2024 to 2030 (Grand View Research, 2023). Suppliers offering migration expertise with tested methodologies will be best placed to win contracts.

2. AI analytics and decision support

Artificial intelligence in government is set for significant growth, particularly in decision support, fraud detection, and citizen engagement. Buyers will prioritise AI services that provide:

• Explainability and transparency (meeting the UK’s AI Regulation White Paper principles).

• Robust governance controls and bias monitoring.

• Evidence of measurable outcomes such as reduced processing time or better service delivery.

The UK government plans £2 billion investment in AI by 2029/30, highlighting the strategic importance of AI in public services. Suppliers that can demonstrate both technical capability and measurable impact will be highly competitive.

3. Cybersecurity and incident response

With rising cyber threats, public sector demand for cybersecurity services continues to grow. The UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2023 found that 32% of businesses and 24% of charities reported cyber incidents in the previous 12 months, with government and healthcare particularly at risk.

Key requirements for 2026 procurement include:

• 24/7 incident response backed by measurable SLAs.

• Certifications including NCSC Cyber Incident Response (CIR).

• Integration with Security Operations Centres (SOCs) for proactive monitoring.

Suppliers able to evidence incident readiness and compliance with NIS2 Directive standards will stand out.

4. Citizen-facing portals

Digital public services are only as effective as their usability. With the government’s commitment to a “once only” digital experience for citizens, there will be continued investment in accessible and user-friendly portals.

Expect procurement to emphasise:

• Accessibility testing against WCAG 2.2 standards.

• Performance metrics, including user satisfaction scores.

• Integration with core government data platforms.

Digital services already save millions of hours annually by simplifying citizen interactions and suppliers providing evidence of tested usability and inclusivity will align strongly with buyer priorities.

5. Process automation and integration

Automation remains a major driver of efficiency. In 2026, robotic process automation (RPA) and workflow orchestration will be in high demand, particularly in areas like finance, HR, and case management.

Buyers will prioritise services that show:

• Baseline and projected efficiency gains with quantifiable ROI.

• Seamless integration with existing enterprise systems.

• Governance and auditability to meet compliance obligations.

Demonstrating pilot success stories will be critical to procurement success.

Procurement positioning and compliance

Winning suppliers will not only demonstrate technical excellence but also align tightly with public procurement rules. To maximise success:

• Map services to frameworks such as G-Cloud, DOS, and AI-assurance frameworks.

• Provide pilot project evidence with measurable results.

• Ensure compliance with GDPR, WCAG, Cyber Essentials, and data protection law.

• Highlight value for money with clear ROI models.

Conclusion

By 2026, UK public sector digital procurement will centre on five core service areas: cloud, AI, cybersecurity, citizen portals, and automation. Suppliers that combine technical capability with compliance assurance, evidence from pilots, and measurable ROI will have the greatest success in winning public contracts.

Demonstrating impact—such as cost reductions, improved efficiency, and measurable citizen outcomes—is not just a competitive advantage; it’s increasingly critical to meeting the expectations of public sector buyers. With procurement frameworks, compliance standards, and pilot evidence all weighing heavily in awarding decisions, suppliers need to showcase both capability and credibility.

DigiGov Expo provides a unique opportunity to do just that. By connecting with decision-makers, attending targeted sessions, and demonstrating successful digital solutions in real-world contexts, suppliers can position themselves at the forefront of the public sector digital transformation agenda. For anyone serious about winning public contracts and staying ahead in this rapidly evolving market, DigiGov Expo is the place to be.