Sir Keir Starmer will today unveil plans to use AI to radically digitise the civil service in a bid to save up to £45billion.
The Prime Minister will say that no person’s ‘substantive time’ should be spent on a task where technology can ‘do it better, quicker and to the same high quality and standard’.
But No10 was forced to deny that it plans to take a ‘chainsaw’ to the state – after reports that proposals for reform had been dubbed ‘project chainsaw’.
Downing Street said the reference to Trump adviser Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw to represent his cuts to government spending was ‘juvenile’ and that it was not their approach.
In a speech today, Sir Keir will vow to reshape the way the British state delivers and serves ‘working people’ by becoming more agile, tech-driven and productive.
He will set out details of how he plans to digitise public services and the state, underpinned by the mantra that ‘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’.
Sir Keir will set out proposals to recruit 2,000 tech apprentices to boost the take-up of AI on Whitehall.
He is also set to argue that global uncertainty means the Government must ‘go further and faster in reshaping the state to make it work for working people’.
The Prime Minister will say that no person’s ‘substantive time’ should be spent on a task where technology can ‘do it better, quicker and to the same high quality and standard’
Sir Keir will set out proposals to recruit 2,000 tech apprentices to boost the take-up of AI on Whitehall
As well as vowing to cut the cost of regulation for businesses by 25per cent, the PM will say he will refocus the state on his key missions and create ‘an active government that takes care of the big questions, so people can get on with their lives’.
‘The need for greater urgency now could not be any clearer. We must move further and faster on security and renewal,’ he is expected to tell workers in the North East.
‘Every pound spent, every regulation, every decision must deliver for working people.’
Sir Keir will also take aim at a ‘cottage industry of checkers and blockers slowing down delivery for working people’, continuing his criticism of regulation in the UK.
On Tuesday, he instructed ministers to stop a ‘trend’ of ‘outsourcing’ decisions to ‘other bodies’ begun under the previous government and assess whether regulations contributed to Labour’s agenda.
Later the same day, the Government also announced that the Payment Systems Regulator will be abolished and merged with the Financial Conduct Authority in what Sir Keir said was ‘the latest step in our efforts to kickstart economic growth’.
Ministers appear to have grown increasingly frustrated with the role of regulators as they attempt to boost the UK’s economy, with the Chancellor urging them to focus more on encouraging growth.
Sir Keir is expected to say: ‘The great forces buffeting the lives of working people, and an era of instability driving in their lives….
Downing Street said the reference to Trump adviser Elon Musk wielding a chainsaw to represent his cuts to government spending was ‘juvenile’ and that it was not their approach
‘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… If we push forward with the digitisation of government services. There are up to £45bn worth of savings and productivity benefits, ready to be realised.
‘And that’s before we even consider the golden opportunity of artificial intelligence. An opportunity I am determined to seize.’
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle added: ‘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 it 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.’
However, No10 yesterday refused to say whether the civil service headcount will be reduced under the proposals for reform.
Asked whether the state would be smaller, the PM’s press secretary: ‘No, it’s about reshaping the state and taking advantage of technology.’
It comes after the Guardian reported that No10 and the Treasury were interested in proposals drawn up by think tank Labour Together to reshape the state under plans dubbed ‘project chainsaw’.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: ‘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’
Last night the Prospect trade union said the Government must reform civil service pay to compete for the skills it needs.
Its general secretary Mike Clancy said: ‘Technology has the potential to transform government delivery and improve outcome for the public, and it is right that the government are pressing ahead with plans to make better use of new tech in the public sector.
‘However the government will find it challenging to compete for the skills needed to deliver on this agenda under the current pay regime, which is why Prospect is campaigning for more pay flexibility to recruit and retain specialists in the civil service in areas like science and data.
‘Government should also be doing more to utilise the talented specialists it already has at its disposal, many of whom are working in regulators and other agencies that have been starved of funding in recent years.
‘Civil servants are not hostile to reforms, but these must be undertaken in partnership with staff and unions. I urge everyone in government to avoid the incendiary rhetoric and tactics we are seeing in the United States, and to be clear that reforms are about enhancing not undermining the civil service.’
