Suffolk mental health unit’s safety risks ‘not addressed’ – BBC News

‘A mental health unit has been rated inadequate for the second time in four months after it failed to address risks affecting patient safety.’

Full Story

BBC news, 9th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

PM can be challenged in court over Priti Patel bullying decision, hearing rules – The Guardian

‘Boris Johnson’s decision to back Priti Patel and disregard the findings of his adviser on ministerial standards that the home secretary had bullied staff can be challenged in court, a hearing has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 27th April 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

The challenges with data and AI in UK financial services – OUT-LAW.com

‘Financial services businesses should review the way they procure, manage and use data, and consider whether specific new processes need to be developed, to implement artificial intelligence (AI) systems in a way that customers trust, is effective and meets legal and regulatory standards.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 14th April 2021

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Land Registry launches Digital Identity Standard for conveyancing process – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 17th, 2021 in conveyancing, internet, land registration, news, standards by sally

‘HM Land Registry has launched its first Digital Identity Standard, which provides a step-by-step list of requirements for conveyancers’ use of digital services to verify their client’s identity securely and conveniently online.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 15th March 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Tough new rules aim to make electrical goods last longer – The Guardian

‘Tougher rules are being introduced to make appliances such as fridges, washing machines and TVs cheaper to run and last longer, the government has said.’

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The Guardian, 10th March 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New watchdog will be able to ban dangerous materials used at Grenfell Tower – The Guardian

‘Companies that make dangerous building materials such as those used at Grenfell Tower could be prosecuted and their products banned by a new watchdog announced by the government.’

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The Guardian, 19th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Deep crisis’ in British prisons as use of force against inmates doubles – The Guardian

Posted January 4th, 2021 in news, prison officers, prisons, standards, statistics, violence by sally

‘The use of force against inmates has doubled over the past decade, amid continuing concern over high levels of violence and disorder in prisons. A loss of experienced prison staff, overcrowding and a subsequent growth in violence against both prisoners and staff has been blamed for force being used 49,111 times in England and Wales in the 12 months before the Covid pandemic began.’

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The Guardian, 3rd January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Beyond regulation: controlling app-based private hire operators – 11 KBW

Posted December 7th, 2020 in chambers articles, internet, licensing, news, regulations, standards, taxis by sally

‘In former times, if you wanted to build a business empire, you needed bricks, mortar and time. It took twenty years for Marks and Spencer to move from their first covered market in Leeds to their first shop. No more. You can run the world’s largest holiday lettings company without owning a hotel, or the largest book retailer in the world without a bookshop, and you can revolutionise the global taxi industry without owning a car. And it all happens at a dizzying pace. The question arises whether these commercial leviathans can be regulated and if so how.’

Full Story

11 KBW, November 2020

Source: www.11kbw.com

R (RD) v Justice Secretary [2020] EWCA Civ 1346 – CrimeCast.Law

‘This was the second of a pair of recent cases which suggest that police officers and those who aspire to be police officers are held to a higher standard than the general public whom the police are sworn to protect. I discussed yesterday R v Luckett (Michael David) [2020] EWCA Crim 565, which illustrated the approach taken by the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal to the sentencing of offences of misconduct in a public office by serving police officers. The case of R (RD) v Justice Secretary addresses the rigorous disclosure requirements imposed on those who apply to become police constables or police cadets. It prompted the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal to consider the application of Article 8(2) of the European Convention on Human Rights to candidates for the police service – specifically whether the current regime for the rehabilitation of offenders and for the disclosure of convictions, cautions and reprimands is in accordance with law and necessary in a democratic society …’

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CrimeCast.Law, 30th November 2020

Source: crimecast.law

R v Luckett (Michael David) [2020] EWCA Crim 565 – CrimeCast.Law

‘“This was one of a pair of recent cases, which tend to suggest that police officers and those who aspire to be police officers are still held to a higher standard than the public they are sworn to protect. It was a sentencing appeal following a plea of guilty by a former police officer, who had made use of information gathered in the course of investigating a drink driving offence to get in touch with the defendant and subsequently enter into a long-term personal relationship with her. He resigned from the police and pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office. His appeal against the sentence prompted the Court of Appeal to refer to earlier authorities on sentencing for misconduct in a public office by serving police officers and gave the court an opportunity to emphasise the gravity of the offence, whilst at the same time proving that the quality of mercy is not strained …”’

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CrimeCast.Law, 26th November 2020

Source: crimecast.law

BSB publishes its first Regulatory Decisions Report – Bar Standards Board

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published its first annual Regulatory Decisions Report. It covers the year ending on 31 March 2020.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 27th November 2020

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Facebook’s Instagram ‘failed self-harm responsibilities’ – BBC News

‘Children’s charity the NSPCC has said a drop in Facebook’s removal of harmful content was a “significant failure in corporate responsibility”.’

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BBC News, 19th November 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Social housing landlords in England face checks on tenants’ satisfaction – The Guardian

Posted November 17th, 2020 in complaints, health & safety, landlord & tenant, local government, news, standards by sally

‘Social landlords in England will be required to report on residents’ satisfaction in an effort to rebalance power between owners and tenants in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, the housing secretary has announced.’

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The Guardian, 17th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Post-Grenfell social housing reforms in England to be unveiled – The Guardian

‘Millions of tenants could be offered greater protection from wrongdoing by landlords in long-awaited social housing reforms to be announced this week, more than three years after the Grenfell Tower disaster.’

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The Guardian, 16th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Asylum seekers crossing Channel face ‘inhumane treatment’, observers say – The Guardian

Posted November 13th, 2020 in asylum, detention, government departments, health, immigration, news, standards by tracey

‘Independent monitors say migrants arriving at Dover are moved with untreated injuries amid serious documentation errors.’

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The Guardian, 13th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Campaigners hail dramatic government climbdown in battle to protect post-Brexit food standards – The Independent

Posted November 2nd, 2020 in agriculture, bills, brexit, food, food hygiene, news, ombudsmen, standards by tracey

‘A dramatic government climbdown will protect post-Brexit food quality, delighted campaigners say – after fears that chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef would be allowed in. In another U-turn, Liz Truss has bowed to pressure to give teeth to a new watchdog to prevent trade deals, particularly with the US, watering down food and animal welfare standards.’

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The Independent, 1st November 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Damning CQC report calls for improved community-based capacity, pooled budgets and new national specialist commissioner of complex care – Local Government Lawyer

‘A Care Quality Commission review has found “undignified and inhumane” care in some hospital settings providing complex care for autistic people, and people with a learning disability and/or mental health condition.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th October 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

CQC report: Care of people with learning disabilities ‘inhumane’ – BBC News

‘Too many hospitals for people with learning disabilities or autism are providing poor care which is, at times, undignified and inhumane, the care regulator for England has said.’

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BBC News, 23rd October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tory MP told to apologise after being found guilty of breaching lobbying rules – The Independent

Posted September 17th, 2020 in lobbying, news, parliament, standards by michael

‘A Conservative MP has been told to make an apology in the House of Commons after being found guilty of breaching lobbying rules in relation to a company which gave him £10,000.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th September 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Scale of failure in prison system staggering, say MPs – The Guardian

Posted September 11th, 2020 in budgets, Ministry of Justice, news, prisons, standards, statistics by tracey

‘The scale of failure in the prison system in England and Wales is “staggering”, with only 206 out of 10,000 promised new prison spaces delivered by the government, parliament’s spending watchdog has said.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th September 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com