The Weekend Briefing: passport queues, AI in government, the cladding scandal and more.

Send us a topic important to you.The Bench Report Weekend Briefing presents a summary of our topics discussed in episodes this past week and beyondWe begin with the question of dedicated UK passport queues and the government's focus on efficiency over national identity. The briefing then addresses the ongoing UK cladding scandal, highlighting slow progress and significant cost increases. Challenges hindering the adoption of Artificial Intelligence within UK government due to outdated technology and skill shortages are discussed.We also examine the state of UK grassroots sports, acknowledging investment but questioning its sufficiency against rising costs. Finally, the briefing covers the controversial Tobacco and Vapes Bill, exploring its aim to create a smoke-free generation alongside concerns about enforcement and personal liberties.All podcast episodes referenced be found at www.thebenchreport.co.ukFollow and subscribe to 'The Bench Report' on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes daily: thebenchreport.co.ukSubscribe to our Substack Shape our next episode! Get in touch with an issue important to you - Producer Tom will grab another coffee and start the research!Email us: [email protected] us on YouTube,  X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! @benchreportUKSupport us for bonus and extended episodes + more.No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.  Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0....