Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of artificial intelligence-driven automation for working hours in sectors affected by significant technological change.

The Government recognises that AI is transforming workplaces, demanding new skills and augmenting existing roles. We have launched the AI and the Future of Work Unit — a cross-government function dedicated to ensuring AI delivers positive outcomes for the economy, jobs, and workers.

The Unit published an initial assessment of AI impacts on the labour markets in January 2026. This highlighted IMF estimates that around 70% of UK workers are in occupations containing tasks that AI could potentially perform or enhance. Around half of these exposed workers are in 'high complementarity' roles, where AI may be more likely to boost efficiency and productivity, while the other half are in 'low complementarity' roles where AI may be more likely to perform tasks currently delivered by human labour.

To further increase the Government's capability to assess these impacts — including the sectoral effects of AI — we have announced a new AI Economics Institute, which will absorb the Future of Work Unit and broaden and deepen our research and analytical capability on AI's economic impacts and policy implications. Leading AI labs have agreed to collaborate with the Institute so that we have the data needed to underpin this analysis, and the Institute will publish selected research where this supports open debate.