The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has solidified its commitment to cloud transformation by signing a significant £3.79 million contract with Redesmere, a Cheshire-based digital transformation firm. This strategic agreement aims to support the final phase of the Hybrid Hosting Transformation (HHT) project, which seeks to phase out legacy on-premises hosting systems and fully migrate towards cloud services by May 2026.
Launched in 2021, the HHT initiative is designed to facilitate a comprehensive transition to a cloud-centric infrastructure, embodying the DWP’s goal of a 100% cloud-adoption strategy. According to programme documents, the migration to flexible and pay-for-use cloud hosting services is intended to address the inefficiencies and operational limitations associated with outdated on-premises systems.
The latest contract, effective from May 1, 2025, extends until March 31, 2026, and includes provisions for a 12-month extension if required. Redesmere’s role involves providing overall programme delivery management, which entails decommissioning legacy platforms, reducing the DWP’s on-premises data centre footprint, and alleviating associated technology debt. These efforts are crucial to the successful conclusion of the comprehensive HHT project, which has seen the DWP award approximately 20 contracts over the past five years, collectively valued at around £35 million.
The wider context of the DWP’s digital strategy showcases a notable collaboration with major industry players. For instance, procurement archives reveal that IBM and Oracle have garnered contracts worth £5.9 million and £2.5 million, respectively. Additionally, Pixel Global, a procurement and sourcing firm, has secured three contracts valued at £4.3 million to provide strategic and project management support within the HHT framework.
In parallel to the HHT initiative, the DWP’s digital transformation efforts have included a recent £850 million contract awarded to Oracle and IBM to provide shared services across several government departments, aligning with a broader strategy to centralise cloud-based infrastructure. Such large-scale contracts indicate a strategic pivot within the UK government towards modernising its IT services, a challenging task necessitated by the demands of a digital-first public service landscape.
These combined efforts reflect a systemic shift within the DWP to leverage cloud capabilities effectively. With existing investment in various projects—including a £94 million contract with Amazon Web Services to enhance cloud hosting solutions—it’s clear that the department is not only addressing immediate needs but striving towards a resilient and flexible IT architecture for the future.
As the DWP progresses through the final stages of the HHT programme, it remains to be seen how the adoption of cloud technology will further refine the delivery of public services and enhance operational efficiency within the department. The continuation of such projects highlights the evolving landscape of public sector technology, where agility and innovation are paramount.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
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