Keir Starmer to say ‘tech revolution must work for everyone’ in speech on AI – UK politics live

Good morning. Two weeks today, it seems more likely than not that Andy Burnham will be taking his seat as the new MP for Makerfield. A byelection win is not certain, but the campaign is definitely going his way. Keir Starmer has been saying he won’t just stand aside and let Burnham replace him as Labour leader, but these briefings are being received with a hefty dose of scepticism.

The unnamed minister quoted in today’s Times splash gives a more realistic guide to what is happening. They say:

double quotation mark Keir has entered his legacy era. The conversations are now all, ‘What is announceable in time before Makerfield?’

The Times says that one of these legacy ‘announceables’ will be a ban on “harmful” social media (ie, not all social media) for under-16s. The PM wants to announced that before the byelection, the paper says.

Starmer is also giving a speech on technology this morning. According to the extracts briefed in advance, he will the “tech revolution must work for everyone”. He will say:

double quotation mark No one doubts the huge potential of tech to change lives. But we have to decide who that change is for. This government’s choice is clear: the tech revolution must work for everyone, not just a privileged few.

We’re backing British businesses to lead the way, driving growth and investment that turns into more jobs and stronger communities. And we’re using tech to bring opportunity to every corner of the country – helping people into work, tackling inequalities, boosting skills and building a fairer future.

There was also a mini news announcement in the overnight briefing – but not one that will be remembered by anyone writing about Starmer’s legacy. He will say the Department for Work and Pensions is trialling what it calls an “AI work assistant” to help the jobless find work. No 10 says: