HLAS

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published an overview of its provisional approach to implementing the new Digital Markets competition regime. UK parliament is currently considering the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the DMCC Bill). This legislation is designed to tackle the problem of many digital services across digital markets being provided by the same small number of tech firms and recognising that current anti-competition legislation does not adequately cater for digital markets. The overview sets out how the CMA plan to apply the legislation. They are committed to using a targeted, evidence-based, and proportionate approach, but it [...]

The recent Post Office Horizon scandal, given further exposure by the related TV drama, provides a cautionary tale about the perils of overlooking the human impact of technology decisions. The Post Office's Horizon accounting system erroneously implicated postmasters in financial irregularities and led to severe consequences, including loss of reputation and even imprisonment, for innocent individuals. These mistakes have underscored the importance of emphasising the human element in decision-making processes and the danger of relying too heavily on technology. This is a particularly pertinent reminder in view of the increased use of AI in business processes. For business owners keen [...]

The Border Target Operating Model sets out the UK's final plans for a new approach to importing goods into Great Britain. The changes will be introduced progressively from 31 January 2024. Where goods are being imported directly from Ireland (and not being moved from or through Northern Ireland), there will be new checks and controls in place. This will apply, for instance, to goods being moved from Dublin and Rosslare ports to Liverpool and Holyhead ports. New biosecurity and security controls are being introduced from the end of January for all imported goods. However, full customs controls are being brought [...]

The UK government has announced plans for expanding nuclear power in the UK. The Civil Nuclear Roadmap sets out how the UK will increase generation of nuclear-powered electricity so that by 2050 it is enough to provide a quarter of the UK's electricity needs. Prompted by price volatility, increasing uncertainty abroad, and environmental concerns, the roadmap will help to continue the UK's efforts to have a more secure electricity supply and meet carbon neutral targets. The roadmap acknowledges that investment in nuclear energy has fallen back in recent decades but commits to reverse this trend. Besides the projects currently being [...]

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced that nearly 44,800 people have sorted their upcoming 31 January tax bill by setting up a payment plan. HMRC provide the option of a monthly payment called Time to Pay (see link below). Provided taxpayers owe less than £30,000, they can use HMRC's affordability checker for help to decide on what arrangement will work best for them. This arrangement must be set up before 31 January to avoid facing a penalty. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balances from 1 February. If you need help working out how to make your tax [...]

Mr Shakar Habib, director at Vista Training Solutions Limited, has been given a six-year ban following the discovery of significant financial irregularities. The company, in collaboration with other partner organisations, worked to help students find apprenticeships across London and received most of its funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Mr Habib served as sole director of the company from November 2015 through to the company's abrupt liquidation in February 2020. The company liquidated with a debt due to ESFA of more than £2.5 million. A subsequent investigation, jointly conducted by the Insolvency Service and ESFA, found that [...]

Storm Henk caused widespread flooding and damage across England during the first few days of 2024, affecting households and businesses alike. Following this, the government has announced that financial support is available to eligible areas in England that have experienced exceptional localised flooding. In these eligible areas, the following help will be made available to significantly affected and eligible businesses: 100% business rates relief for at least 3 months; Up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant that can be applied for by small-to-medium sized businesses to help quickly return to business as usual; £5,000 from the Property Flood Resilience [...]

Innovate UK, a part of UK Research and Innovation, are aiming to invest up to £1 million in projects that will support developing and manufacturing needle free technologies to administer medicine. The funding is available for feasibility studies that investigate the technologies enabling administering medicine without needles. A grant funding request must be between £50,000 and £100,000 and needs to show how the project will improve the productivity, competitiveness and growth for at least one UK micro, small or medium sized enterprise involved in the project. The deadline for applications is 11am on 14 February 2024. Further details about what [...]

Innovate UK BridgeAI is funding an online training course to help businesses and organisations explore digital, data-driven and AI technologies. The training course is designed with decision-makers in mind, in businesses and organisations of any size in agriculture, creative industries, construction, and transportation. It will help you decide what your organisation needs and put together an action plan for making your business digital ready. This introductory-level series will explain why and how to implement AI to best benefit your business. There are five sessions that can be taken individually or as a series. The sessions include: Making data work for [...]