UK's Shared Services Strategy is entering the danger zone

The UK's Shared Services Strategy for Government, now approaching its fifth anniversary, is showing serious signs of strain. With around £1.7 billion committed across contracts involving Oracle, SAP, Workday, and major systems integrators, the 2028 deadline to consolidate 17 departments and 300 arm's-length bodies into five cloud-based shared service centres is under pressure. Key issues include a legal challenge by Sopra Steria over a £370 million Capita contract awarded at less than 40% of the estimated value, HM Treasury's reluctance to commit to the Matrix cluster despite having approved £1.15 billion in funding, and the Department for Education's incomplete commitment. A National Audit Office report flags unclear departmental buy-in. HMRC's Unity cluster previously received a red rating for being undeliverable. The piece argues the strategy risks unravelling as timelines stretch, technology choices age, and early cost-saving promises may go unmet.