Saqib in his recent speech to parliament, criticised both the Minister and Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology for the government’s failure to recognise the growing potential of AI in the public and private sectors. Notably, he outlined the need to better integrate technology into public services like the NHS and police force to minimise wasteful spending and to make them more digitally inclusive. To this end, he also urged the government to commit to a review of the government’s 10-year-old digital inclusion strategy, work Saqib began but which was halted by the election.
He heavily criticised the Labour government’s £1.3 billion cut in supercomputer capability investment and research funding, citing that this was the beginning of a slippery slope that may lose the UK its top position in the global AI race. Undoing much of the work done to nurture this sector by the previous conservative government.
Saqib made clear his mission is to protect the hard-earned money of British people whose taxes fund our public services and must be used to secure the best quality service possible. He expressed his will to put aside party politics and support the government in their implementation of technology in our public services if it means better outcomes for the British people.
Commenting on Labour’s inaction in this area, Saqib said:
“I am immensely proud of the massive number of tech startups fostered under the previous Conservative government and we must continue to support this sector in the global innovation race."
"The tech sector is vital in attracting investment and creating jobs, but also in providing the technologies needed to tackle the growing pressures on our public services and to ensure taxpayer money is used wisely."
