SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

SolarWinds has published research suggesting AI is making work more demanding for many public sector IT teams, based on a global survey of IT professionals.

More than half of public sector respondents, 56%, said AI had made their roles more demanding. Another 74% said AI was changing how work gets done without reducing overall workload.

The findings point to a gap between expectations that AI will ease pressure on public sector technology teams and the day-to-day reality of introducing and managing new systems. They also suggest IT departments are taking on additional oversight and operational work as organisations add AI tools to existing estates.

A central issue was the state of public sector infrastructure. Nine in 10 respondents from public sector organisations said their IT systems were fragmented across platforms, which can complicate the rollout and management of new technology.

This fragmentation matters because AI tools often sit on top of established systems rather than replace them outright. That can leave teams managing a broader mix of platforms, processes and governance requirements at a time when many departments are already under pressure to maintain services with limited resources.

The survey also highlighted the effect on staff workload and concentration. Some 32% of public sector professionals said cognitive load had increased, while 35% said it had fallen in some areas but risen in others.

Policy gaps

Respondents also pointed to shortcomings in organisational rules and training. More than half, 59%, said clearer AI policies and guardrails would help teams adapt. Skills gaps and insufficient training were also identified as leading challenges as automation becomes more widespread.

The most sought-after skills identified in the research were designing AI-driven workflows, cited by 50% of respondents, evaluating and validating AI outputs at 43%, and interpreting AI-generated insights at 42%. The findings suggest public sector employers are looking for staff who can oversee and test AI use, rather than simply deploy tools.

The survey covered 1,040 IT professionals globally, including 200 respondents from government, healthcare and education. It examined AI adoption, operational complexity, changing job roles and expectations for IT organisations.

Rich Giblin, Head of Public Sector and Defence at SolarWinds, commented on the findings. “Public sector organisations are under real pressure to do more with less, so it’s understandable that Artificial Intelligence is being looked to as part of the answer. But, as powerful as it is, AI only helps if it’s implemented thoughtfully, and if the technology itself doesn’t become another burden for already stretched teams.”

“If adopting AI requires a major project, complex configuration or dedicated resource to manage it, then the effort hasn’t been reduced, it has just been moved. The tools that create the most value in resource-constrained environments are the ones that are practical to deploy, easy to use and able to deliver benefits from day one.”

“There is also a clear need to be realistic about where AI adds value. Used well, it can support efficiency and help teams work differently, but it should only be applied within clear boundaries. The most effective organisations will be the ones that treat AI as a precision tool to support service quality, rather than as a blanket fix for pressure on teams,” Giblin said.

KAREN JOY BACUDO

Finance Editor

Lightyear has launched Ready-made Plans in the UK, offering three risk-based investment options.

The plans are available across the platform’s 25 markets and use funds managed by BlackRock and Vanguard. The range is aimed at people who want a simpler route into investing, as well as customers who do not want to build portfolios themselves.

The launch comes as the government begins a campaign to encourage more people in the UK to invest, and as Lightyear’s own research points to low levels of retail participation. According to the company, 21% of Britons keep money in a wallet, coat pocket or bag at home, compared with 15% who hold stocks and shares.

The figures also show that only 6% hold funds or exchange-traded funds. More than half of Britons have cash savings, but many have not moved into market investments.

Three options

The range includes three funds organised by risk appetite: Moderate, Growth and All-World. The Moderate option uses the iShares Moderate Portfolio ETF, while Growth uses the iShares Growth Portfolio ETF. The All-World option uses the Vanguard FTSE All-World ETF.

Customers can set up the plans during onboarding or from the portfolio page, and auto-invest is available. Users can also name their plans. There are no buy or sell fees on the plans, although standard foreign exchange fees apply when investing in euros.

The launch expands a planning feature already offered on the platform. Lightyear previously introduced DIY Plans, which let users group and manage their own holdings. The new product is designed for customers who want a more structured approach.

Lightyear says 60% of its customers prefer simple, passive investing. About half have less than three years’ investing experience, and confidence remains the biggest barrier for many.

That points to a broader challenge for investment platforms seeking to broaden participation beyond experienced market users. For newer investors, the hurdle is often figuring out where to start, while more experienced investors may not want to spend time researching individual funds.

Lightyear was founded in 2020 by Martin Sokk and Mihkel Aamer, early employees at Wise. The business operates from London and Tallinn and has raised USD $58 million from investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Mosaic Ventures and Nordic Ninja.

In the UK, the company is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Across Europe, it operates through an Estonian-regulated entity with access to EU and EEA markets.

Wander Rutgers, UK CEO at Lightyear, outlined the market gap the company is trying to address.

“While over half of Brits have cash savings, just 15% have stocks and shares, and only 6% hold funds or ETFs. Our mission is to get more people investing, and to do that we need to create simple, accessible ways into the stock market. Ready-made Plans gives everyone that starting point, backed by BlackRock and Vanguard, without needing to know the difference between an ETF and an index fund to get going.”

“We built DIY Plans for people who want control. Ready-made Plans are for everyone else. Three options. Pick your risk level. Start,” said Rutgers.

The owner, Modella Capital, is said to be undertaking a major restructuring of the former WHSmith high street business.

The private equity firm acquired WHSmith’s high street bookshop and newsagent estate last year and rebranded it as TG Jones.

They are now understood to be drawing up plans aimed at avoiding a potential collapse of the business.

According to RetailGazette , the restructuring would affect around 100 of the chain’s 480 shops, while keeping approximately 400 branches trading if landlords agree to rent reductions.

I’m sorry I’ve just found out WHSmiths is leaving the High Street like it’s one of my favourite shops.. I feel sick 😭

— Amber 💙🖤 Saw Nsp! (@BayleafAvidan) July 1, 2025

The plans follow the expiry of a 12-month moratorium on closures that was agreed as part of the acquisition from WHSmith in 2025.

WHSmith retained its travel business, which operates from locations such as railway stations and airports.

Modella is said to be working with professional services firm Teneo and law firm Slaughter and May on the proposal.

The business is reportedly considering using a legal mechanism known as a “cram-down”, which can allow a restructuring plan to be pushed through with the approval of one class of creditors and the High Court, even if other creditors object.

Secure Trust, which is understood to have provided a £50m loan to support the acquisition, is expected to play a key role in negotiations.

Newsquest has contacted Modella Capital for comment.

When did WHSmith get taken over?

The potential closures come less than a year after Modella completed the purchase of WHSmith’s high street arm, which included 464 stores across high streets, shopping centres and retail parks.

At the time of the deal, the business generated an annual turnover of more than £400m and EBITDA of £41.2m in WHSmith’s 2024 financial year.

However, the retailer is reported to have struggled since the rebrand to TG Jones, with some sites that temporarily kept the WHSmith name said to have performed better than those operating under the new fascia.

The business had previously set out ambitions to grow the estate to more than 500 stores and position TG Jones as a “hub of the high street”.

Which stores are at risk?

Stores understood to be at risk include locations in Swindon, Chippenham, Oxford, Ipswich, Hampshire and North Wales.

The TG Jones branch in Stirling is also expected to close in July after its lease renewal failed.

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The restructuring would mark a significant reversal for Modella’s plans for the chain and comes as mid-market high street retailers continue to face pressure from rising costs, weaker consumer demand and changing shopping habits.

Modella has also been rationalising parts of its wider retail portfolio, with recent closures across other businesses it owns blamed on difficult trading conditions and increased operating costs.

Do you miss WHSmith? Let us know which stores you miss from UK high streets