The UK government is paying civil servants to play Grand Theft Auto Online as part of a research initiative to better understand the lives of the public. The scheme, however, has drawn criticism from some who view it as a waste of taxpayers' money.
Policy Lab's Research Initiative
The project is being conducted by Policy Lab, a team of 30 civil servants within the Department for Education (DfE). Founded under the previous Conservative government, the GTA Online experiment began in December 2024, five months after the current Labour government took office. Policy Lab members have been playing the game, observing player actions, and engaging in conversations to gain insights into people's lived experiences.
Examples highlighted include players expressing enjoyment from running a successful business, spending time on a personal yacht, or socializing remotely. However, critics argue that such insights are trivial and do not justify the expenditure.
Criticism from Officials
An anonymous Whitehall source described the scheme as 'nonsense' and 'exactly the kind of Tory hangover this Government wants to root out.' The source added that ministers did not approve the project and oppose wasting taxpayer money on video games when more pressing issues exist.
Shadow cabinet office minister Mike Wood echoed these sentiments, stating, 'It's important that civil servants have the right skills – but playing Grand Theft Auto isn't among them.' He called for an immediate halt to what he termed an 'absurd waste of resources.'
Other Experiments by Policy Lab
Beyond GTA Online, Policy Lab has conducted workshops on clay modelling and knot tying to encourage participants to explore emotional and contextual dimensions of learning. The DfE has not commented on the initiatives.
Future Implications
The experiment may continue given the upcoming release of GTA 6, which is expected to attract a massive player base. Meanwhile, questions remain about the integration of GTA Online with the new title and potential impacts from Prime Minister Keir Starmer's proposed social media ban, which could restrict online chat functions for minors. Although GTA games carry an 18+ rating, age verification measures may still be required.
