UK government chases AI while aging IT leaves it exposed, PAC chair warns
Whitehall's digital staffing falls short of its own target as ministers leave the skills gap unresolved
The UK government is advancing its AI initiatives while neglecting to modernize its aging IT systems, which leave departments susceptible to cyberattacks, according to a critical evaluation from Parliament's spending watchdog. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC), warns in his second annual report that Whitehall is failing to address its persistent technology challenges, even as AI provides criminals and hostile states with new avenues to assault government systems.
Clifton-Brown expresses doubt about the government's preparedness for the scale of this challenge. While ministers have announced reforms to strengthen digital capabilities, they have not provided clarity on closing the civil service skills gap or a timeline. The numbers are disheartening, with only 6 percent of civil servants working in digital and data roles, falling short of the government's 10 percent objective.
Senior specialists are scarce, and meeting the target would necessitate hiring and retaining many more. Furthermore, the government's lack of urgency in tackling legacy IT systems, which pose significant cyber security risks and hinder the utilization of new technologies, is concerning. Clifton-Brown criticizes efforts to reduce fraud and error costs, which already amount to £55 billion to £81 billion annually, as the Department for Work and Pensions targets a 2.8 percent reduction by 2028-29.
However, even if achieved, billions will still be wasted. The Home Office, grappling with asylum backlogs and mounting costs, has implemented questionable "quick fixes" without clear explanations of their functioning. Digital rights campaigners have called for the Home Office to abandon its AI asylum tools due to concerns about accuracy, transparency, and human oversight.
The report also highlights the recurring issue of failed government IT modernization projects, such as National Savings & Investments' £3 billion IT overhaul, which is behind schedule and unlikely to meet completion. In contrast, the Bank of England successfully revamped its Real-Time Gross Settlement system for £431 million, concluding the task in April 2025.
The PAC advises Whitehall to emulate the Bank's approach and apply these lessons to existing systems.
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