The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued guidance to help developers, engineers, decision makers and risk owners in creating and using machine learning systems. Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence where computers find patterns in data or solve problems automatically.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act has become law and will affect owners of freeholds for leasehold properties as well as house builders. The new reforms mean that leaseholders no longer have to wait two years before they can buy or extend their lease. If they do extend their lease, the Act increases the standard lease extension term to 990 years for both houses and flats.

The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) has reopened for grant applications. An additional £2 million of funding has been made available to support England’s seafood sector. The scheme is administered by Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Defra and is designed to help the fisheries and seafood sector in a number of ways.

Official figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics show that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) dropped to 2.3% for the 12 months to April 2024. This is down from 3.2% for the 12 months to March 2024. The new energy price caps and resulting fall in gas and electricity prices were the main factors behind the decrease. However, rises in the price of petrol and diesel meant the rate did not fall as low as it might otherwise have done.

Official figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics show that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) dropped to 2.3% for the 12 months to April 2024. This is down from 3.2% for the 12 months to March 2024. The new energy price caps and resulting fall in gas and electricity prices were the main factors behind the decrease. However, rises in the price of petrol and diesel meant the rate did not fall as low as it might otherwise have done.

New planning laws that have come into force simplify the conversion of unused farm buildings into new homes, farm shops, and gyms. These changes aim to help farmers diversify and expand their businesses without the burden of submitting planning applications. Farmers can now repurpose agricultural buildings and land for various new uses, including outdoor sports facilities, larger farm shops, and training centres.

A former management trainee at Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Limited, Shairaz Saleem, has been fined after illegally obtaining customer data over a two-week period in 2019.
Concerns arose when Mr Saleem visited his workplace in West Yorkshire outside of his scheduled hours and an internal audit then revealed that he accessed 39 customer records from 25 different rental branches in just 32 minutes.

Both Apple and Microsoft have announced updates to their product lines in recent weeks. Apple unveiled updates to their iPad Air and iPod Pro lines, and Microsoft have introduced Copilot + PCs as showcased by their new Surface Pro and Laptop. These releases by both companies appear to underline the emphasis they are putting on the potential offered by generative AI.

A new service has been launched to help employers and managers with employee health and disability. The guidance contained in the service will help in supporting employees and to understand any legal requirements. There are also links provided to government and other organisations that are able to help.

Self-driving vehicles are set to be on British roads by 2026 following the enactment of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act. Automated vehicles are expected to improve road safety by reducing human error, which is estimated to be responsible for 88% of road collisions.