DWP set to scrap 'outdated' rules because 'they're holding UK back'

DWP set to scrap 'outdated' rules because 'they're holding UK back'
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The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a big update over "speeding up" payments. The DWP is set to introduce artificial intelligence in a bid to speed up payments and streamline the benefits process, it has revealed.

The AI system called 'Humphrey' could help cut the benefits bill by billions, the DWP hopes. A new package of AI tools – nicknamed ‘Humphrey’ – will be available to civil servants in an effort to modernise tech and deliver better public services to set the country on course for a decade of national renewal.

The Labour Party government announcement read: "The government has announced a new plan to leverage technology and AI tools like "Humphrey" to streamline public services, eliminate delays through improved data sharing, and reduce costs, including consultant spending. Data sharing across the public sector will be tackled in bid to stamp out nonsensical delays and save taxpayers billions."

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Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary at the DWP, said: "Outdated technology is holding us back. Sluggish manual processes mean people don’t get the help they need quickly enough. That’s why we want to use the latest AI technologies to bring Jobcentres into the 21st Century, giving our brilliant staff the tools they need to offer more personalised services to jobseekers.

"But this is just one example of how AI can make our work more effective. We are committed to going further to make our services faster, fairer, and more accessible for the people who rely on us every day." This is hot on the heels of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has put the UK on course to become an AI superpower – already attracting over £14 billion in investment since being launched last Monday.

AI tools “Humphrey” have been launched to speed up work of Whitehall and cut back on consultant spending, with more government-built tech to be unveiled later today.