Yup GDS is not the British Government. And do not represent all of gov.uk.

True they are responsible for the main chunks of the new gov.uk. But far from all of it.

I should know, as Im involved with the development of a non-GDS part of gov.uk whom do also have some native apps...

The use of responsive websites instead of native apps is a good rule though.

"Why the UK Government Digital Service chooses not to build mobile apps"

Agreed. Terrible link-bait title, and the article is mediocre. Please change it to something like : "UK GDS bans apps in favor of responsive websites"

I third that. The article doesnt provide much in the way of explaining it clearly enough.