PM claims £14bn tech plan can ‘save lives’ and make UK an ‘AI superpower: Live

The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:

The Chancellor is “absolutely right” to take a ruthless approach to public spending, Sir Keir Starmer said.

Asked about reports the Treasury asked other Government departments to be “ruthless” in making spending cuts, the Prime Minister told reporters: “Yes, we will be ruthless, as we have been ruthless in the decisions that we’ve taken so far.

“We have got clear fiscal rules, and we are going to keep to those fiscal rules, and that’s why the Chancellor was absolutely right in the words that she chose to describe the approach that we will take.”

Asked again if he had confidence in the Chancellor, and whether she would remain in post until the next election, Sir Keir said: “Rachel Reeves is doing a fantastic job. She has my full confidence. She has the full confidence of the entire party.”

Sir Keir Starmer remained resolute his Government would stick to its fiscal rules, amid a shaky economic situation which could affect public spending.

Asked about the economic situation, the Prime Minister told reporters growth is “our number one priority”.

He added: “We’ve said that throughout, and all of the other work we’re doing ladders up to this.

“So whether it’s the work on AI, whether it’s the work I was announcing last week on the NHS, all of that ladders up to growth.

“We do have in place fiscal rules, which we will absolutely stick to, because they are necessary to provide the stability that we want.”

Reform of public services is the “lever that hasn’t been pulled enough”, Sir Keir added, insisting this needed to be pulled “hard and quickly” by his Government.

Keir Starmer indicates he would be happy to work with Elon Musk on AI despite social media row

Asked whether he is concerned by the deteriorating relationship with Elon Musk, Sir Keir said: “We will work with anybody in this sector, whether it’s Elon Musk or anybody else.”

Sir Keir Starmer has dodged a question on whether Rachel Reeves will still be Chancellor at the next election.

Asked whether Rachel Reeves will be chancellor at the next election, Sir Keir said the government is “determined to bring about economic stability” but failed to provide an answer on whether or not Ms Reeves will still be in post the next time the UK goes to the ballots at a general election.

The pound has remained under pressure amid an intensifying sell-off in government bonds as Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces mounting questions over her fiscal rules.

The Chancellor returned from her trip to China as concerns swirled that the Government is in danger of failing to meet its own fiscal rules and will need to take action to remain on track.

Ms Reeves insisted over the weekend that her fiscal rules are “non-negotiable”.

Sir Keir Starmer said artificial intelligence could help “turn around the economy”.

The Prime Minister highlighted the “real mess” inherited from the Conservatives, but said the Government is also facing increased pressure from rising borrowing costs.

Sir Keir suggested that embracing AI could help revive the nation’s fortunes.

The Prime Minister said: “I would argue that we would do it in any event, whatever the state of the economy and public services, because it’s obviously the right direction to go in, but it’s doubly necessary because of the mess we’ve inherited from the last government.

“So we will use it to turn around the economy, and use it to turn around our public services.”

Sir Keir has pushed back against concerns over the dangers of AI, saying fear could cause Britain to “miss a massive opportunity”.

He said the UK will “go our own way” when it comes to regulation, promising to “test and understand AI before we regulate it”.

This, he said, will ensure that regulation is “proportionate and grounded in the science”, whilst also offering the “political stability that business needs”.

“The blunt truth is, we’ve got to be much bolder”, Sir Keir added.

“New technology can provoke a reaction, a sort of fear, an inhibition, a caution. And because of the fears of a small risk, too often you miss a massive opportunity.

“So we’ve got to challenge that mindset, because actually the far bigger risk is that, if we don’t go through with it, we’re left behind by those who do.”

In a pitch to AI companies, Sir Keir Starmer promised to “remove the blockages that hold you back”.

The Prime Minister added: “This is a Government that backs the builders. So if you’re looking at where to build your data centres, we will speed up planning permission if you need better access to power.”

Sir Keir also promised to speed up grid connections for AI companies and other steps to nurture their base in the UK, as he pointed to plans to create AI-focused growth zones.

The Prime Minister also promised further AI regulation, but said the Government would “test and understand” the technology beforehand to ensure that any future rules are “proportionate and grounded in the science”.

AI will help to make public services “more human”, Sir Keir Starmer said.

In a speech setting out the Government’s plans to improve the UK’s use of artificial intelligence, the Prime Minister said: “That’s the irony of AI, it will make public services more human, reconnect staff with the reasons that they came to public service in the first place, a force that will turbocharge every single element of our Plan for Change, the defining opportunity of our generation.”

Sir Keir commended the Tories for setting up the AI Safety Institute, and urged the public to be “in absolutely no doubt we will make sure that this technology is safe”.

He said the UK needed to decide if it would be an “AI maker or AI taker”, adding: “The investors, the entrepreneurs, the researchers who will make those breakthroughs, they’re looking around the world, they’re choosing where to make their home, trillions of pounds worth of investment at stake, a battle for the jobs of tomorrow is happening today.”

He continued: “Mark my words, Britain will be one of the great AI superpowers.”

Sir Keir Starmer has promised to put “the full weight of the state” behind the mission to turn the UK into a leading force in artificial intelligence.

AI will become the “centrepiece of our industrial strategy”, the PM promised

“I’m determined the UK becomes the best place to start and scale an AI business. That will be the centrepiece of our industrial strategy.”

“There’s never been a better moment for entrepreneurs with big ideas to grow a small company fast”, he added.