Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a major plan to modernize the government by bringing a “digital revolution” to Whitehall, with the goal of saving £45 billion by making public services more efficient and productive.
This means that many civil servants whose jobs can be done by technology or artificial intelligence (AI) will likely lose their positions.
At the same time, high-earning officials who aren’t performing well will be given a chance to improve through a Personal Development Plan, but if they don’t show progress within six months, they could be let go.
To help build a more modern workforce, the government is launching a new apprenticeship program called TechTrack, which will bring 2,000 tech-savvy apprentices into public sector roles by 2030.
Starmer stressed that these changes are urgent and necessary to ensure the government is delivering security and better services for working people, especially during challenging times.
This move is part of a broader global trend where governments are using technology to cut costs and work more efficiently, similar to efforts in the United States under former President Donald Trump, who enlisted Elon Musk to help reduce government spending.
The number of civil servants in the UK has grown significantly in recent years, reaching 515,000, up from 385,000 in 2016, and Starmer believes the system has become bloated and inefficient. While the plan promises big savings, it also raises concerns about job losses and whether public services might suffer as a result.
The government insists the reforms will create a leaner, more effective public sector, but the success of these changes will depend on how well they are implemented.
More details about the state of the public finances and how the savings will be used are expected when the Chancellor makes a statement on March 26.
Overall, Starmer’s plan represents a bold attempt to bring the government into the 21st century, but it will need to balance efficiency with the needs of the public to truly succeed.
