Artificial intelligence is beginning to address one of the UK economy’s most persistent weaknesses – productivity. New research shows AI adoption in accounting has already delivered a £1.6 billion boost, with the sector offering a blueprint for broader economic gains.
The UK has struggled with sluggish productivity growth for over 20 years, falling behind other advanced economies. Economists now view AI as a key tool to reverse this trend by streamlining processes, cutting costs and allowing firms to focus on higher-value work.
In the accounting sector, AI adoption is nearly universal. A study by Xero, conducted with Cebr and Censuswide, found that 98% of UK accountancy and bookkeeping firms use AI in daily tasks, saving an average of 19 hours a week. The time freed up is being reinvested in revenue-generating activity and advisory services, reshaping the industry’s traditional role.
The research also showed 76% of firms are hiring more non-accounting professionals, such as tech and advisory specialists, pointing to changing skill requirements. A separate Google report found that UK workers across sectors could save 122 hours a year on admin tasks through AI, with even small interventions – like brief training or managerial support – significantly boosting uptake.
Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, recently compared AI’s potential to that of electricity, citing its power to cut operational costs and stimulate growth. He and others stressed the importance of investment in human skills. Xero’s study revealed 36% of firms lack sufficient AI training, and annual spend on AI tools and training averages just £1,746 per firm.
Looking ahead, research by Sage and Demos suggests broader AI use could add £2 billion to UK GDP, increase exports by £238 million and create nearly 20,000 jobs in accounting. Yet only 16% of professionals currently feel ready to meet AI-related skills demands.
As the government seeks to ease fiscal pressures, AI-driven productivity gains could support more sustainable growth and improve public finances. For service-heavy sectors like accounting, the technology offers a chance to modernise and unlock innovation.
AI’s impact is already being felt – not just as a technical upgrade, but as a catalyst for economic renewal. With targeted investment, stronger training and supportive policy, the UK has an opportunity to lead in responsible AI-powered growth.
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Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent findings from a study by Xero, Cebr, and Censuswide, published on 3 November 2025, indicating that AI adoption in UK accountancy and bookkeeping practices has led to a £1.6 billion boost to the UK economy. ([xero.com](https://www.xero.com/us/media-releases/uk-accounting-sector-profits-surge-with-ai-adoption/?utm_source=openai)) This aligns with similar reports from July 2024, such as the Sage and Demos study suggesting AI could add £2 billion to GDP. ([sage.com](https://www.sage.com/en-gb/company/digital-newsroom/2024/07/23/going-for-growth-creating-an-ai-first-future-in-accounting/?utm_source=openai)) The overlap in findings suggests the narrative may be recycling existing information, with the most recent data from November 2025. The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the repetition of similar findings across multiple sources raises concerns about originality. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Stuart Miller, Director of Public Policy & Technology Research at Xero, and Dave Sellick, founder at Sidgrove. A search for these quotes reveals they have been used in previous reports from Xero and other media outlets, indicating potential reuse of content. The wording of the quotes varies slightly across sources, suggesting paraphrasing rather than direct reuse. No online matches were found for the exact wording of the quotes, raising the score but flagging them as potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from TheIndustry.biz, a reputable industry news outlet, which strengthens its reliability. The study cited is conducted by Xero, a well-known small business platform, in partnership with Cebr and Censuswide, both established research organisations. This collaboration with reputable organisations enhances the credibility of the report.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about AI adoption leading to significant economic boosts in the UK accounting sector are plausible and supported by similar findings from other reputable sources. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, which reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic. The language and tone are consistent with industry reports, and the structure is focused on the claim without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for the subject matter, with no unusual drama or vagueness.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent findings on AI adoption in the UK accounting sector, with data from November 2025. However, similar findings have been reported in previous studies from July 2024, suggesting potential recycling of content. The quotes used have appeared in earlier material, indicating possible reuse. While the source is reputable and the claims are plausible, the lack of specific factual anchors and the potential recycling of content raise concerns about originality and freshness.
