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.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Stoke Sentinel) – Paragraphs 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11
- [2] (gov.uk) – Paragraph 2
- [3] (gov.uk) – Paragraph 2
- [4] (gov.uk) – Paragraph 6
- [5] (gov.uk) – Paragraph 5
- [6] (gov.uk) – Paragraph 6
- [7] (gov.uk) – Paragraph 7
Source: Noah Wire Services
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.
