Landmark government trial shows AI could save civil servants nearly two weeks each a year

Overview

Over 20,000 UK civil servants trialled Microsoft 365 Copilot for three months, using it to draft documents, summarise meetings, and handle admin tasks. The trial found it saved users an average of 26 minutes per day, equivalent to nearly two weeks per year. At Companies House, staff used Copilot to handle routine customer queries and speed up drafting responses and updating records. At the Department for Work and Pensions, Work Coaches used it to personalise advice for jobseekers.

The challenge

UK civil servants spent significant time on everyday admin tasks such as drafting documents, summarising lengthy emails, updating records and preparing reports, limiting time available for higher-value tasks, innovation or public service impact, as part of the government's broader effort to modernise the state and achieve £45 billion in savings.

The solution

Over 20,000 UK civil servants were given Microsoft 365 Copilot for a three-month trial, using it to draft documents, summarise meetings, handle admin tasks, and more. At Companies House, staff used Copilot to handle routine customer queries and speed up drafting responses and updating records. At the Department for Work and Pensions, Work Coaches used it to personalise advice for jobseekers.

Reported business value

The trial found Microsoft 365 Copilot saved users an average of 26 minutes per day, equivalent to nearly two weeks per year — the equivalent of giving 1,130 people a full year back every year. Complementing research from the Alan Turing Institute found AI could support up to 41% of tasks across the public sector, with civil servants spending around 30 minutes daily on emails where AI could cut effort by over 70%.