The UK government has been paying civil servants to play Grand Theft Auto Online as part of a research initiative aimed at understanding the lives of the general public. The scheme, run by Policy Lab—a team of 30 civil servants within the Department for Education (DfE)—has drawn criticism from some who view it as a waste of taxpayers' money.
What Is Policy Lab's GTA Online Project?
According to a report by The Telegraph, the project began in December 2024, five months after the current Labour government took office. Policy Lab was originally founded by the previous Conservative government. Civil servants have been playing GTA Online, observing player behavior, and engaging in conversations to gain insights into people's lived experiences.
Examples highlighted include players expressing enjoyment from running successful businesses, spending time on personal yachts, or socializing remotely. However, critics question the necessity of playing a video game to understand that people enjoy power fantasies.
Criticism from Politicians and Officials
An anonymous Whitehall source labeled the scheme as "nonsense" and a "Tory hangover" that the current government should eliminate. Shadow cabinet office minister Mike Wood told The Telegraph: "It's important that civil servants have the right skills – but playing Grand Theft Auto isn't among them. The government must halt this absurd waste of resources immediately."
Policy Lab has also conducted workshops on clay modeling and knot tying to explore emotional and contextual dimensions of learning.
Broader Context: GTA 6 and Social Media Ban
The DfE has not commented on the project, but its continuation may be influenced by the upcoming release of GTA 6, which is expected to attract a massive player base. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's proposed social media ban could impact games like GTA Online, especially regarding underage access and chat functions. Although GTA games are rated 18+, the government may require age verification for online interactions.
Rockstar Games has not clarified whether GTA Online will continue alongside GTA 6 or be replaced by a sequel, though rumors suggest a new online iteration may launch after GTA 6's November release.
