Briefing Note: Adjustments to UK Government Digital Policies under Labour Administration

This briefing outlines the potential changes to key UK digital policies, laws and strategies following the Labour Party’s victory in the general election and reflects their priorities as presented at the 2024 Labour Party Conference. Labour’s approach emphasises ethical oversight, accelerated public service reform and enhanced regulation, which impacts the timelines of various initiatives in digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity and green technologies.

The UK's digital transformation agenda encompasses a range of events, government papers, policies, laws and strategies aimed at driving innovation, security and growth in the digital sector. The government’s focus spans multiple areas including digital infrastructure, data governance, cyber security and artificial intelligence (AI). Several key items include the following:

Future Events

1. AI Safety Summit (November 2024) This event will focus on global collaboration for managing the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence. It aims to unite international governments, industry experts and civil society to develop safety protocols in AI development and deployment.
2. UK Tech Summit (March 2025) This annual summit brings together government officials, digital companies and researchers to discuss the future of the UK’s digital economy, with a strong emphasis on innovation in AI, cybersecurity and data use.

Government Papers

1. Digital Strategy 2022 (Updated versions expected in 2025) The UK government’s Digital Strategy outlines priorities for strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, enhancing digital skills and boosting innovation. It aims to improve the country's global competitiveness in the digital economy. The strategy includes development of 5G networks and new standards in AI, cybersecurity and data protection.
2. National Data Strategy (2020, with updates expected in 2024) This outlines the vision for transforming how the UK government uses data, particularly in service delivery, governance and ensuring economic growth. The National Data Strategy is expected to undergo revisions to align with new data protection standards and technological advancements.
3. AI White Paper (2023) This policy document sets out the UK’s approach to regulating AI technologies in a manner that promotes innovation while ensuring safety and ethical standards. The white paper emphasises the need for agile regulation and public-private collaboration.

Policies and Strategies

1. Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (Expected 2024) This legislative initiative seeks to establish a pro-competition regime for digital markets. The bill introduces new powers for the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) to enforce rules around anti-competitive behaviour by large tech firms. The bill also includes consumer protections for digital services.
2. Cyber Strategy 2022–2030 The government’s long-term cyber strategy aims to strengthen the UK’s resilience to cyber threats. The strategy is built on five key pillars: securing digital infrastructure, tackling cybercrime, strengthening international alliances, improving public-private collaboration and developing a skilled cyber workforce.
3. Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (Amendments due in 2024) Amendments to the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill will refine the UK’s data protection regime post-Brexit. The aim is to create a more innovation-friendly regulatory environment, while maintaining high data protection standards.
4. AI Regulation Roadmap (2024–2025) This roadmap sets a flexible, pro-innovation approach to AI regulation, focusing on fostering safe, ethical AI usage across sectors. The government intends to implement a sector-led approach, empowering industries to develop guidelines and safeguards that fit their unique needs.

Laws

1. Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 This Act focuses on securing the UK’s telecommunications infrastructure, mandating stronger security requirements for operators and suppliers. Future revisions may address new threats associated with 5G and beyond.
2. Online Safety Bill (Expected 2024) A key piece of legislation designed to regulate harmful content online. The bill places duties on social media platforms and other online services to protect users, particularly children, from harmful or illegal content. It also imposes stricter content moderation and transparency obligations on digital platforms.
3. Digital Identity and Trust Framework (Expected 2024) The framework is part of the government's broader digital strategy to create trusted and secure digital identities. Laws surrounding digital identity will focus on streamlining public access to services while enhancing security and trust in digital transactions.

Strategic Initiatives

1. Levelling Up Digital Programme (2024–2026) This programme aims to reduce the digital divide by providing better access to high-speed internet in underserved regions, developing digital skills and fostering innovation in regional tech hubs. The government also aims to stimulate local economies by encouraging digital startups.
2. National Quantum Strategy (2024–2028) A strategic initiative focused on establishing the UK as a global leader in quantum computing and related digital technologies. The government has committed to investing heavily in quantum research, with emphasis on commercialisation and integrating quantum technologies into key sectors such as healthcare and finance.
3. Green Digital Strategy (2025) As part of the broader sustainability agenda, the UK government will introduce a Green Digital Strategy to ensure that digital technologies contribute to the UK’s net-zero goals. The strategy will explore the use of AI and data analytics to drive sustainability initiatives, as well as encourage digital innovation in the green tech sector.

The above timeline, illustrates key UK government digital policies, laws, and strategies from 2020 to 2030. Each line represents the duration of an initiative or event, showing when each policy or strategy starts and where applicable, its expected conclusion. The events include ongoing strategies like the Cyber Strategy (2022-2030), and shorter-term actions such as the AI White Paper and AI Regulation Roadmap (2023-2025).

The UK government's digital transformation is driven by a series of policies, laws and strategic initiatives aimed at securing the country's future as a digital leader. Ongoing developments in AI, data governance and cyber security will be key areas of focus. The balance between innovation and regulation remains central to ensuring the UK remains competitive while safeguarding digital infrastructure and consumer rights.

Key Changes and Timeline Adjustments

•  AI Strategy: Labour’s commitment to ethical AI, particularly in defence and public services, introduces an additional layer of regulatory scrutiny. Public service applications of AI, particularly in healthcare, could see faster rollout by 2025, while defence AI could extend into 2031 due to the focus on ethics and governance.
• Digital Development Strategy: Labour’s focus on reducing the digital divide and improving digital access leads to an accelerated implementation. With greater emphasis on inclusivity, targets for digital infrastructure and public access could be met earlier, by 2029.
• National Quantum Strategy: Labour could prioritise investment in quantum technology to ensure the UK remains a global leader. However, additional consultations on ethical concerns related to quantum computing could extend the timeline by one year, with full commercialisation now expected by 2035.
• FCDO Digital Development Strategy: Labour’s international digital development strategy could be accelerated to achieve key milestones by 2029. The strategy aligns with Labour’s commitment to digital equality and cybersecurity, ensuring faster deployment in developing partner nations.
• Online Safety Bill: Labour could fast-track the Online Safety Bill to ensure its implementation by late 2024. This reflects the party’s emphasis on public safety, particularly online and stricter regulation of harmful content.
• Green Digital Strategy: Labour’s strong focus on green technology and energy security could accelerate the rollout of AI-driven energy management and sustainability initiatives. The transition to green digital infrastructure could start earlier in 2024, though full integration may extend into 2026 due to Labour’s focus on public ownership of energy resources.
• Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Bill: The bill is expected to be delayed by one year, as Labour expands its scope to introduce stricter regulations for big tech companies and enhanced consumer protections. This will provide the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) with greater powers to enforce market rules.

Priorities and Strategic Shifts

• Ethical Oversight: Labour has signalled a strong commitment to embedding ethical considerations into all digital initiatives. This will particularly affect AI and quantum technologies, where the party’s emphasis on safeguarding public trust and mitigating risks could result in extended timelines for deployment in sensitive sectors.
• Accelerated Public Service Digitalisation: Digital healthcare is a key priority for Labour. Accelerating AI use in the NHS, particularly for early diagnostics and preventative care, could deliver faster results. Public safety measures, including the rapid implementation of the Online Safety Bill, are also high on the agenda.
• Green Digital Infrastructure: Labour’s focus on achieving net-zero targets could drive the fast adoption of digital solutions in the energy sector. The creation of GB Energy and the integration of AI for energy management reflect Labour’s vision of a tech-driven green economy.
• Regulation of Big Tech: Labour aims to introduce more robust regulations for big tech, with expanded powers for regulatory bodies such as the Digital Markets Unit. This could likely delay the passage of the Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Bill to 2025, as Labour seeks to address monopolistic practices and enhance digital consumer protections.

Implications for Stakeholders

1.      Private Sector: Companies involved in AI, quantum technology and energy management should prepare for Labour’s stricter regulatory environment. Delays in sectors requiring ethical scrutiny (AI and quantum) are expected but public service applications, particularly in healthcare and green technology, could move faster.

2.      Public Sector: Labour’s commitment to public service reform will require increased investment in digital infrastructure and workforce training, particularly in healthcare, energy and regulatory bodies. Labour could look to enhance collaboration with international partners for digital development in line with the FCDO’s strategy.

3.      Consumers: Consumers can expect faster access to digital services, including healthcare and green energy solutions. Stronger protections could be enacted through the Online Safety Bill and delayed Digital Markets Bill, reflecting Labour’s emphasis on safeguarding public interests.

The updated time line reflects the revised assumptions based on the government's priorities outlined at the 2024 Labour Party Conference. These adjustments reflect Labour’s focus on ethical governance, public service reform, and rapid technological adoption across key sectors.

Conclusion

The Labour government could bring both acceleration and delays to key UK digital policies. Public service digitalisation, green technology adoption and online safety measures could be fast-tracked, while areas requiring greater ethical scrutiny, such as AI and quantum technology, may face delays. Labour’s focus on regulation, ethics and inclusivity will shape the future of digital policy, reflecting its commitment to public welfare and sustainable growth.

Sources:

• Labour Party (2024). Keir Starmer speech at Labour Party Conference 2024. [online] Available at: https://labour.org.uk/updates/press-releases/keir-starmer-speech-at-labour-party-conference-2024/  [Accessed 25 Sep. 2024].
• Labour Party (2024). Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, speech at Labour Party Conference 2024. [online] Available at: https://labour.org.uk/updates/press-releases/ed-miliband-mp-secretary-of-state-for-energy-security-and-net-zero-speech-at-labour-party-conference-2024/ [Accessed 25 Sep. 2024].
• Labour Party (2024). Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, speech at Labour Party Conference 2024. [online] Available at: https://labour.org.uk/updates/press-releases/peter-kyle-mp-secretary-of-state-for-science-innovation-and-technology-speech-at-labour-party-conference-2024/ [Accessed 25 Sep. 2024].
• Labour Party (2024). Rachel Reeves speech at Labour Party Conference 2024. [online] Available at: https://labour.org.uk/updates/press-releases/rachel-reeves-speech-at-labour-party-conference-2024/  [Accessed 25 Sep. 2024].
• Labour Party (2024). Yvette Cooper speech at Labour Party Conference 2024. [online] Available at: https://labour.org.uk/updates/press-releases/yvette-cooper-speech-at-labour-party-conference-2024/  [Accessed 25 Sep. 2024].
• UK Government (2024). Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. [PDF].
• Ministry of Defence (2024). Defence Artificial Intelligence Strategy. [PDF].
• UK Government (2024). The King’s Speech 2024: Background Briefing Notes. [PDF].
• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (2024). National Quantum Strategy. [PDF].
• Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (2024). FCDO Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030. [PDF].

Disclaimer:

Please note that parts of this post were assisted by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool. The AI has been used to generate certain content and provide information synthesis. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the AI's contributions are based on its training data and algorithms and should be considered as supplementary information.