[iamben]

Controversial opinion, but I'd have little problem with Google (for instance) having anonymised access (and obviously there is _a LOT_ of caveats here) to medical data (again, for instance) in exchange for digitising the NHS (again, for instance). At least you'd have some assurances it worked and was secure.

The amount of low ball quotes for government work that I've seen or heard of that go over budget or barely work is a little worrying. I've also seen teams of developers that are by no means first rate; it's little surprise we end up with these failures.