A new AI tool has been launched on the GOV.UK App, which will enable users to get quick and easy help to navigate government services and save money.

GOV.UK Chat is being touted as 'the most comprehensive government-built chat tool in the world'.

It allows people to ask questions in plain language and receive instant, clear and reliable answers drawn from official government information. This should remove the need to call helplines or search through thousands of pages on GOV.UK.

Some government call centres take around 100,000 calls a day and it is hoped the new chat function will help reduce pressure on frontline staff and free them up for when human support is more needed. Research suggests that up to half of callers' questions could be answered by GOV.UK Chat.

Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary, said: "Modernising our digital services is central to building a government that works for everyone.

"For too long, navigating government has felt like a full-time job. Whether you’re a parent trying to find out what childcare you’re entitled to, a first-time buyer working out which schemes you can access, or someone approaching retirement, you shouldn’t have to spend time trawling through hundreds of web pages to get a straight answer.

"GOV.UK Chat changes that – putting clear, reliable information in people’s hands in seconds, at any time of day."