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Department of Health and Social Care: Artificial Intelligence

Asked by Sir John HayesConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 25 June 2026UIN 16

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has used artificial intelligence to assist with drafting (a) legislation and (b) policy in the last 12 months.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill

Since October 2025, the Department has incorporated Microsoft 365 Copilot in line with the Government.

The drafting of primary and secondary legislation is the responsibility of Department officials. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one example of a range of tools that are used to assist with this drafting, used to check, critique, and otherwise interrogate drafts. While AI can be used to assist with the drafting of legislation, the production of the draft remains the responsibility of a lead human drafter to meet the high standards expected of Government legislation. In addition to human validation of AI outputs, it is Parliament's responsibility to scrutinise and amend legislation as it sees necessary.

The Department follows cross‑Government guidance and training to civil servants supporting the safe and responsible use of generative AI. Notable resources include the AI Knowledge Hub core principles and guidance and participating in One Big Thing "AI for All" from October 2025 to February 2026, which built foundational AI knowledge, developed literacy, and gave staff the skills to use AI responsibly, including when drafting advice and correspondence. Alongside the Government, the Department is committed to ensuring that the adoption of AI is safe, effective, efficient, and ethical, and references tools such as the Data and AI Ethics Framework and the Model for Responsible Innovation to help teams to identify and manage risks.

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