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Welcome to Government Connect

Government Connect is a pan-government programme providing an accredited and secure network between central government and every local authority in England and Wales. The Government Connect Secure Extranet (GCSX) is part of the wider Government Secure Intranet (GSi). It provides connectivity to the majority of central departments as well as many other public sector organisations, such as the NHS and police, and accredited commercial organisations. Scottish local authorities are connected to this trusted communications infrastructure via the Government Secure Extranet (GSX).
» Learn more about Government Connect here

Secure Connections Across the Public Sector

In an example of successful joint working the Government Connect project - led by the DWP in partnership with local authorities, DCSF, CLG, the LGA and Socitm - has established secure connectivity between all 375 local authorities in England and Wales and central government by implementing the secure IT network, GCSX.

It is now possible for central government departments and their agencies to share sensitive personal and RESTRICTED data with local authorities via a government accredited secure communications channel.

This new secure communications infrastructure offers a platform upon which to build joined up, effective and efficient public services and create new and improved ways of working.

For more information about how councils are using GCSX to transform services click here.

What they say:

This is a remarkable achievement and provides a network bridge not just between local authorities and central government but between local authorities themselves. It will create opportunities for better, more secure, timely and innovative, service delivery. Kenny Robertson, Director of CIT Shared Services and SRO for the Gov Connect Programme.

With 100% connectivity GCSX will now become a real catalyst for change that will enable the local delivery of digital public services such as Tell Us Once and Online Free School Meals. In this way, Government Connect will provide a unique platform to drive forward collaborative working across the public sector on shared priorities such as Total Place, the personalisation of local services, raising school standards; narrowing health inequalities; and creating stronger and safer communities. Roy Marshal, CIO, CLG.

DCSF have been a supporter of the Government Connect project for some time. DCSF leads on a number of projects that are aimed at joining up local and central government working and we see the success of Government Connect as an important step in delivering these new services. Tim Wright, CIO at DCSF

Government Connect will make it much easier to share sensitive personal data securely, and it also gives a platform for reduced costs and better services. That’s why getting all councils on the Government Connect network has been such a big step forward. Local authorities up and down the country have made a fantastic effort to get connected, and I’m looking forward to seeing the benefits unfold. Stephen Jones, Director of Finance & Performance, LGA.

Government Connect lays the foundation for a single pan-government security infrastructure and demonstrates that local government really can ‘connect’. Mark Brett, Head of Information Assurance at Socitm (Society of information technology management)

Many transformational cross-cutting initiatives are already taking advantage of the success of the Government Connect project and the capability it has provided. Click here for more information.

Local authorities are also using funding provided by the IDeA Benefits Realisation Fund to deliver service improvements using the GCSX. Click here for more information.