Artificial Intelligence: Impact on Employment

Lord Londesborough Excerpts

Monday 13th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The noble Viscount has rightly highlighted the importance of responsible AI in recruitment guidance. As he knows, the Government have set out good practice for recruitment practitioners and agencies in procuring and deploying AI systems for HR and recruitment. I am sure that this will be a topic that the future of work unit will consider as it takes forward its work.

[Lord Londesborough (CB)]

Does the Minister agree that AI is becoming a rather convenient punchbag for our rising unemployment? Are not the real culprits low growth, poor productivity and increasing costs and taxes on jobs? If so, why not focus on the opportunity rather than the perceived threat and do more to encourage the creation of new roles around AI, notably in the fields of technology, data and financial services?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

Indeed, the OECD estimates that widespread AI adoption could boost UK productivity by 0.4 to 1.3 percentage points annually. That is why we have an AI Opportunities Action Plan and why we have already progressed 38 of the 50 recommendations. The AI sector already employs 86,000 people in the UK and is growing rapidly. We are doing everything we can to support the safe and sustainable adoption of AI so that companies and workers can benefit.