Created in 2001, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the largest government department. It was formed from the merger of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security. Head of the department is the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in the Cabinet. DWP’s budget for the year 2011 to 2012 was £151.6 billion; about 28 per cent of the UK government’s spending. As a result the department spends a larger share of the UK national wealth than any other department. IT Leader:Joe Harley, director general for Corporate IT, DWP and Government CIOIn role since: Seven years at DWP, one year as Government CIOReporting line: Reports to Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary Ian Watmore and DWP Permanent Secretary Robert DevereuxIT budget: He has carved £1.5 billion from operational costs at the DWP.IT estate and or number of log on accounts under the control of the IT leader: 140,000Primary technology suppliers: HPSignificant strategic technology deals been struck in the last 12 months: Two major software deals with HP signed in October 2011, covering a core benefits system and departmental application supportStrategic aim of the CIO and IT operations for the next financial year: Created and published a transformational ICT Strategy, along with plans of how it will be implemented Read the CIO interview: DWP and UK Government CIO Joe Harley brings a boardroom ethos to public-sector IT