Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much the Home Office spent on translation and interpretation services last year; and what plans they have, if any, to increase the use of AI in the provision of translation and interpretation services.

The Home Office uses interpretation and translation services to support the delivery of its operational responsibilities. The information requested is not centrally held and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

The Home Office is exploring opportunities to increase the use of AI-enabled translation and interpretation where this can improve efficiency and service quality. This includes work to assess potential applications and future delivery options.

Any increased use of AI will be subject to appropriate evaluation, governance and approval, with human involvement retained where appropriate to the circumstances.