Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to use Al to (a) increase productivity and (b) reduce headcount in the civil service.

The Digital Centre and individual departments are exploring the potential benefits of AI to enhance productivity. CDDO has and will continue to assess the potential impacts of AI on public service productivity, and is collaborating with departments to explore AI opportunities aimed at enhancing Civil Service productivity, including trials to assess the real-world impact.

Decisions on the future size of the Civil Service will form a key part of the next comprehensive Spending Review. Therefore, a proper and full consideration, including AI, will be given to this in due course, and the Cabinet Office will work closely with HM Treasury on the development of these plans.