Business

Stoke-on-Trent considers AI for cost savings amid public sector pressures

Saturday, 29 November 2025 1:52PM UTC

Facing a £4.1 million overspend, Stoke-on-Trent City Council explores artificial intelligence to streamline communications and reduce costs, highlighting both potential savings and employment concerns in the evolving public service landscape.

Amidst a challenging financial landscape, Stoke-on-Trent City Council is exploring artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential cost-saving measure, notably in its communications and marketing operations. Facing a predicted £4.1 million overspend this year, even after a £16.8 million bailout loan largely attributed to children's social care expenses, the council's scrutiny committee is actively investigating innovative solutions to curb expenditure. One standout suggestion came from the chair of the strategy and resources scrutiny committee, Dan Jellyman, who proposed employing AI tools such as ChatGPT to automate press release writing, potentially replacing several communications roles and addressing a £105,000 predicted overspend within the department.

This idea aligns with broader trends in public sector efficiency drives, where AI is increasingly deployed to streamline administrative tasks and enhance productivity. For instance, councils across the UK are utilising AI sensors to help vulnerable residents live independently, reflecting the government's £45 billion efficiency savings plan outlined in its Plan for Change. Similarly, groundbreaking government projects like the AI tool 'Consult' have demonstrated how AI can analyze vast amounts of data rapidly and accurately, saving tens of thousands of days of manual labour annually and exemplifying the transformative potential of AI in public service delivery.

Despite the promise of AI-induced savings, concerns remain about the human impact and quality of work. Councillor Laura Carter voiced caution against wholesale replacement of human workers with AI, emphasising the necessity of maintaining a human touch in communications and warning about the broader economic impact on local employment. This viewpoint is echoed by council communications head David Ottewell, who highlighted the critical importance of accuracy and the nuanced understanding required in crafting press releases, which currently demand significant human oversight and sign-offs.

The council’s cabinet member for finance, Sarah Hill, acknowledged that while AI might eliminate certain roles, it must be paired with efforts to retrain staff for tasks that require human skills, especially in person-centred services like social work. This balanced approach mirrors wider government ambitions exemplified in trials where AI has saved civil servants nearly two weeks of work annually by assisting with document drafting and meeting summaries, thereby enhancing operational efficiency without eliminating the indispensable human element.

Further AI-driven initiatives within local government point to significant administrative improvements beyond communications. Experiments with AI tools like 'Humphrey,' trialled in 25 councils, have already demonstrated reductions in time spent on bureaucratic tasks such as planning and social care administration. Additionally, new AI systems are being tested to modernise planning processes by digitising records swiftly, aligning with national goals to accelerate housing development.

In an environment of tightening public finances and increasing demand for services, Stoke-on-Trent’s cautious yet open consideration of AI reflects a broader national push to harness technology for public benefit. The government’s recent blueprint to turbocharge AI use across the UK, involving significant investments in computing power and infrastructure, underlines the strategic importance placed on AI. However, local leaders remain mindful that technology must complement, rather than replace, the workforce, ensuring that services retain quality and communities continue to benefit economically.

The Stoke council’s next steps include a detailed report on current and potential future uses of AI, seeking to balance efficiency gains with employment and service quality. As the council trims its overspend from earlier, higher projections, integrating AI thoughtfully could become a key lever for sustainable financial management amid ongoing social care challenges and wider public sector pressures.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/chatgpt-could-seconds-says-councillor-10673576 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ai-sensors-on-fridges-and-kettles-helping-vulnerable-people-to-live-independently - This government press release highlights how councils are leveraging AI and technology to enhance public services, save money, and improve living standards. It showcases various applications of AI, including sensors on fridges and kettles to assist vulnerable individuals in living independently. The initiative aligns with the government's plans for £45 billion in efficiency savings under the Plan for Change, demonstrating the potential of AI to transform public services and deliver better outcomes for residents.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ground-breaking-use-of-ai-saves-taxpayers-money-and-delivers-greater-government-efficiency - The UK government's AI tool 'Consult' analysed over 50,000 responses to the Independent Water Commission review in just two hours, matching human accuracy and potentially saving 75,000 days of manual work annually. This groundbreaking use of AI demonstrates its potential to save taxpayers' money and deliver greater government efficiency, highlighting the transformative impact of AI on public sector operations and policy development.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ai-experiments-see-humphrey-help-townhalls-cut-costs-and-improve-services - AI experts are experimenting to build new AI within 'Humphrey' to help speed up administration in areas like planning and social care, as 25 councils trial new AI technology from Whitehall. Early research shows officials are saved from 60 minutes of admin for each hour-long meeting, saving staff from what half say is the worst thing about their job. This initiative aims to streamline administrative tasks, improve service delivery, and reduce costs in local government operations.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-government-trial-shows-ai-could-save-civil-servants-nearly-2-weeks-a-year - Over 20,000 civil servants participated in a government-led trial using generative AI to support their daily work, with early results showing time savings equivalent to nearly two working weeks per person, per year. The AI technology was used to draft documents, summarise meetings, and more, boosting officials' ability to deliver the Plan for Change. This trial underscores the potential of AI to enhance productivity and efficiency within the public sector.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/experimental-ai-could-help-councils-meet-housing-targets-by-digitising-records - A new AI tool aims to modernise council planning by replacing outdated paper systems with high-quality digital data, enabling faster, smarter decisions to support the government's goal of building 1.5 million homes. The tool is currently in early testing and could reduce the time needed to convert old planning documents into digital records, performing in 40 seconds what typically takes one to two hours of a planner's time to complete.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-blueprint-to-turbocharge-ai - Artificial intelligence will be unleashed across the UK to deliver a decade of national renewal, under a new plan announced by the Prime Minister. The plan includes expanding public computing power, building a new national supercomputer, and creating AI growth zones with streamlined building approvals. The initiative aims to position Britain as a leading AI superpower and drive economic growth through technological innovation.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is recent, with the earliest known publication date being 28th November 2025. The Stoke Sentinel article was published on 28th November 2025, and the Stoke Nub News article on 28th November 2025. Both articles report on the same event, suggesting the information is fresh. No evidence of recycled content or republishing across low-quality sites was found. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content has not appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material. Therefore, the freshness score is 8.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The direct quotes from Councillor Dan Jellyman and others are unique to this narrative. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were found. Therefore, the quotes score is 9.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from the Stoke Sentinel, a local news outlet. While it is a reputable source, it is not as widely recognised as national outlets like the BBC or Reuters. The report mentions Councillor Dan Jellyman, whose public presence and records are verifiable online. Therefore, the source reliability score is 7.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about Stoke-on-Trent City Council considering AI for press releases align with broader trends in public sector efficiency drives, where AI is increasingly deployed to streamline administrative tasks. Similar initiatives have been reported in other councils, such as Derby City Council's use of AI to transform customer service operations. The narrative includes specific factual anchors, including names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim is present. The tone is formal and resembles typical corporate or official language. Therefore, the plausibility score is 8.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is recent and based on original quotes from verifiable sources. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible, aligning with broader trends in public sector efficiency drives. Therefore, the overall assessment is PASS with high confidence.

AI
public sector efficiency
local government