Local governments across the UK face mounting challenges: shrinking budgets, staff shortages, rising service demands. But according to a 2024 report by the Tony Blair Institute, there’s a transformative opportunity hiding in plain sight - artificial intelligence.

The report estimates that deploying AI across local councils could free up to £8 billion per year in efficiency gains and saved working hours. That’s equivalent to the annual salaries of more than 250,000 public sector employees (Tony Blair Institute for Global Change).

Where are the gains?

Much of this value comes from automating repetitive, time-consuming administrative tasks:

• Drafting and reviewing reports
• Responding to resident enquiries
• Recording and summarising meetings
• Tracking workflows and case status

Instead of spending hours manually documenting discussions or chasing updates, council teams could focus on what matters most - serving communities.

AI without the risk: what local authorities actually need

But here’s the catch: most generative AI solutions today rely on cloud-based models, external APIs, and broad internet-trained data. For local authorities managing citizen records, safeguarding personal data, and complying with GDPR, that’s a red flag.

Councils don’t just need automation. They need automation they can trust.

Ulla for Local Government

That’s where Ulla fits in. Designed with data sovereignty in mind, Ulla is an AI meeting assistant that transcribes, summarises, and organises discussions - all while keeping data secure and under full organisational control.

• For local councils, Ulla can:
• Document internal and public-facing meetings with full traceability
• Provide shareable summaries for follow-ups and case reviews
• Reduce manual admin and staff workload
• Be deployed on-premises - no third-party cloud, no external APIs

It’s AI that works with your governance structures, not around them.

Efficiency with accountability

£8 billion isn’t just a number - it’s the potential to reinvest in people, services, and communities. But unlocking that value depends on choosing the right tools: transparent, secure, and purpose-built.

Ulla doesn’t just promise productivity. It delivers it - securely.

🔗 Learn more about the Tony Blair Institute’s report:

AI Can Free Up £8 Billion Each Year for Councils

Let us know if you'd like to see how Ulla could support your local authority’s digital transformation.