PM unveils plan to reshape government with AI and tech reforms

 

The Prime Minister will set out a bold plan on Thursday to reshape the state, promising to accelerate government reform through digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and a reduction in regulatory burdens.

In a speech, he is expected to argue that the UK government has grown too large yet remains ineffective, failing to deliver for working people.

He will call for a more agile and efficient state, emphasising that national security and economic security are deeply connected.

The PM’s reforms will focus on cutting bureaucracy, improving the efficiency of public services, and ensuring taxpayer money is used effectively.

Among the key measures is a drive to digitise public services, with the Government aiming to save up to £45bn through automation and AI-powered improvements. The Prime Minister is expected to state:

“The need for greater urgency now could not be any clearer. We must move further and faster on security and renewal. Every pound spent, every regulation, every decision must deliver for working people.”

Key Measures in the PM’s Reform Plan:

• Tech and AI integration in government: Specialist digital and AI teams will be introduced into public sector departments to improve efficiency and reduce delays.
• Expansion of digital skills in the civil service: One in 10 civil servants will be in digital or tech roles within five years, supported by a new TechTrack apprenticeship scheme that will recruit 2,000 apprentices by 2030.
• Reducing reliance on expensive contractors: The Government aims to cut costs by reducing the use of external consultants.
• Cutting red tape for businesses: The regulatory burden on businesses will be reduced by 25% to boost economic growth and free up investment.
• AI-powered public service delivery: AI tools will be tested to streamline processes, including a pilot with Citizens’ Advice, which has shown that AI can halve response times for complex customer queries.

The Government has already taken steps towards these reforms, including the recent abolition of the Payments Systems Regulator as part of a broader effort to streamline regulatory oversight.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the reforms would not only improve public services but also save significant amounts of taxpayer money.

“There is a £45 billion jackpot to secure if we use technology properly across our public sector – but we can’t hope to come close to securing that if we don’t have the right technical talent with us in government. Not only will these changes help fix our public services, but they will save taxpayer cash by slashing the need for thousands of expensive contractors and create opportunities across the country as part of our Plan for Change.”

The reforms will be underpinned by a new principle: “No person’s substantive time should be spent on a task where digital or AI can do it better, quicker and to the same high quality and standard.”

The Prime Minister’s announcement comes at a time of growing economic pressure, with businesses and households struggling with high costs. The Government hopes these changes will modernise public services while ensuring that working people see tangible benefits in their daily lives.

Critics, however, may question how quickly these reforms can be implemented and whether AI-driven services will maintain the same level of quality as human-led interactions. Further details on funding and execution will be needed to gauge the full impact of the Government’s proposed changes.