Exclusive: MPs overloading government with 'AI questions'

Key Concepts

• Parliamentary Questions (PQs): Written and oral inquiries submitted by Members of Parliament (MPs) and Lords to government ministers.
• AI & PQs: Concerns regarding the potential use of Artificial Intelligence to generate a large volume of PQs.
• Cost per PQ: The estimated financial burden on government departments to answer each PQ (up to £850).
• Accountability & Oversight: The role of PQs in holding the government accountable and ensuring transparency.

Dramatic Increase in Parliamentary Questions – A Potential AI Influence

Sky News research reveals a significant and unprecedented surge in the number of written Parliamentary Questions (PQs) submitted by MPs and Lords in 2025, nearly doubling the volume seen in 2024. Historical data spanning the last decade demonstrates a relatively consistent number of PQs annually, making the 2025 spike particularly noteworthy. This increase is raising concerns within government regarding potential manipulation through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Financial Implications of Increased PQ Volume

Each PQ requires a response from the relevant government department, incurring a cost of up to £850 per question. The doubling of PQs in 2025 translates to a substantially increased financial burden on departments like Health and Housing. The report highlights that these departments are now tasked with answering twice as many questions compared to the previous year, straining resources and potentially impacting efficiency.

Individual MP Questioning Patterns – Case Studies

The investigation focused on several MPs exhibiting particularly dramatic increases in PQ submissions.

• James McMurdo (Independent MP): His PQ submissions rose from 224 in the second half of 2024 to 748 in the second half of 2025. On January 2nd alone, he submitted 342 questions covering topics such as Palestine funding, road deterioration, and the UK-Italy Young Leaders Program.
• Al Pinkerton (Lib Dem MP): Experienced a 20-fold increase, moving from 36 PQs in the second half of 2024 to 721 in the second half of 2025.
• Ben Abasi Jetti (Conservative MP): Showed more than a 10-fold increase, escalating from 150 to 1,683 PQs. He submitted over 3,000 questions in 2025.

MP Responses and Defenses

When questioned about the surge in his PQ submissions, Ben Abasi Jetti responded with a challenge to the government, stating, “My message to those in government who are who are complaining about the volume of questions is answer them properly. Ensure that we can hold the government to account and maybe the number of questions that you have to suffer uh responding to will reduce.” He defended the validity of his questions, including one regarding the impact of weight loss drugs on grocery sales, asserting, “All of the questions are certainly valid. Um, if they weren't valid, they wouldn't be allowed to be tabled in the first instance.” He explicitly denied using AI, stating he maintains a running list of questions on his phone.

Government Suspicions and Lack of Admission

Despite denials from MPs interviewed by Sky News, government sources express skepticism regarding the authenticity of some questions, describing them as “so random” that they doubt they were authored manually. The report notes that no MP directly admitted to utilizing AI to generate PQs.

Contradictory Claims Regarding AI Efficiency

The report concludes by pointing out the irony that claims of AI saving government money appear to be “on thin ice” given the increased costs associated with responding to the surge in AI-potentially generated PQs.

Logical Connections

The report establishes a clear connection between the observed increase in PQs, the potential use of AI, and the resulting financial burden on government departments. It then investigates individual MP’s questioning patterns to provide concrete examples supporting the overall trend. The MP responses and government skepticism further highlight the contentious nature of the issue.

Notable Quote

“All those claims AI will save government money seem to be on thin ice.” – Sam Coates, Sky News.