'Run-down' Salisbury Cathedral Hotel to be converted into roof top bar
It is the first proposal to be approved amid the city's Skyline Policy, which limits the construction of new developments higher than 40ft (12.2m).The building already stands at 53ft (16.1m), but will be 3ft (0.9m) shorter after the redevelopment.
The Spitfire Sky Bar, which is inspired by Mr Currie's parents who met in the city while making components for the fighter during World War Two, will offer panoramic views of landmarks across the city.Adam Bennett, the planning director representing Mr Currie, said the development would be "transformative" for the city."It will not only bring back into use a vacant and run-down Grade-II listed building, but deliver for local people and visitors to Salisbury alike the chance to see and experience this historic city in an entirely new way, from a roof top perspective, and better reveal its numerous heritage assets," he added.
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Telegraph
34 minutes ago
- Telegraph
HMRC uses AI to spy on social media posts
HMRC has admitted for the first time that it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to spy on taxpayers' social media posts. The tax authority examines workers' financial records, spending habits and tax returns to look for evidence of cheating – as well as posts on the internet. Social media posts about a large purchase or expensive holiday could trigger a red flag if the user seems to be spending beyond their means. A spokesman insisted the tools were only deployed for social media monitoring in criminal investigations with 'robust safeguards in place'. It is understood this has been the case for a number of years, and that all uses of the controversial technology by the tax office are within the law. However, advances in AI are likely to raise concerns about whether HMRC could in future deploy the technology more widely. Bob Blackman, a senior Conservative MP, said: 'If they suddenly start taking legal action against individuals based on that, it seems draconian and very challenging – to put it mildly. 'You've got to have a check and balance. The risk is that AI gets it wrong and someone is pilloried – it seems a bit strange if they start doing that with AI. Without a human check, you can see there's going to be a problem.' The tools used to examine social media in criminal cases exist alongside Connect, a separate IT system used by HMRC to examine financial data for routine tax investigation. The Connect system was first developed over a decade ago, but is thought to be increasingly important as HMRC tries to save money by relying less on human beings to carry out its investigations. It uses billions of data points – including information to spot signs of tax evasion. Rachel Reeves is hoping to make up £7bn of the £47bn 'tax gap' by identifying those who have not paid enough into the national purse. Improvements to the AI software could hold the key to achieving this, after officials last month unveiled plans envisioning its use in 'everyday' tax processes at HMRC. In a 63-page document, HMRC said its staff will use AI to identify suspected tax evaders and send out 'automated nudges' asking them to pay what they owe. The report suggests use of AI within HMRC will become increasingly widespread, with staff currently using chatbots to summarise calls with customers and perform basic administrative tasks. Risks of 'Horizon Post Office-type scandal' The groundwork for the embrace of AI technology appears to have been laid in May, when Labour changed the department's privacy policy. A statement that appears to have been removed said: 'HMRC's use of AI does not replace human judgement when collecting taxes or determining benefits, and our customer services processes always involve human agents.' It now states: 'Where the use of AI could impact customer outcomes, HMRC makes sure that the results are explainable, there is human involvement [and] we are compliant with our data protection, security, and ethical standards.' Senior MPs raised concerns that troves of personal data could be used to make important tax decisions without human judgement – possibly leading to errors. Sir John Hayes, a former security minister and chairman of the Common Sense Group of Tory MPs, said: 'Where confidential or sensitive material is concerned, people need to be assured that human beings with experience, common sense and judgement are making decisions. 'Automated processes remove human interactions. I would be very concerned that we will end up with a Horizon Post Office-type scandal.' Sir John, who has raised questions in Parliament about the use of AI by the HMRC, added: 'The idea that a machine must always be right is what led to the Post Office scandal. I am a huge AI sceptic.' Tax investigators already using AI Fears were raised that AI has already been handed key decision-making powers over people's tax affairs after a legal battle led to the tax office being ordered last week to reveal its use of the software. It came after tax advisors complained AI was used by HMRC when processing applications for tax reliefs that are available to certain businesses. Tom Elsbury, a tax expert, sent a Freedom of Information request in December 2023 to the tax office after he and colleagues concluded AI was used when assessing applications for tax credits by companies conducting research and development activities. HMRC refused to fulfil the request, and the decision was upheld by the information watchdog, but a First-tier Tribunal ruled on Friday that the Government must reveal whether it used AI by September 18. Ministers have insisted that there is always a human 'in the loop' when AI is used for decision-making in Whitehall, while HMRC stated humans will always have the 'final say' in matters that affect people. A similar project to expand AI uses is also being undertaken by the Department for Work and Pensions. It recently took part in a trial that saw 20,000 civil servants use AI technology for three months to draft documents and summarise meetings. A HMRC insider told The Telegraph that officials had asked a dozen tech companies to come up with ways AI could be used to tackle Britain's £46.8bn unpaid tax bill – which is thought to be mostly hidden in offshore bank accounts. AI 'assistants' Government sources said the main use of AI by the taxman was to create two 'assistants' to help the public fill in their tax returns and compliance officers to read them. The customer-facing tool is designed to warn users if they look likely to be submitting false information, based on patterns the system can spot in other users. If the AI tells a user that their return may be wrong, then it could serve as an official warning by HMRC, and lead to a faster crackdown by the authorities if they are later found to have lied, sources said. Compliance officers working at HMRC have also been given AI assistants that they use to sift through data, which ministers think will make the department faster and more efficient at spotting potential tax evasion. However, one source acknowledged that AI tools can make mistakes, and that the Government's new system could introduce errors. A HMRC spokesman said: 'Use of AI for social media monitoring is restricted to criminal investigations and subject to legal oversight. AI supports our processes but – like all effective use of this new technology – it has robust safeguards in place and does not replace human decision-making. 'Greater use of AI will enable our staff to spend less time on admin and more time helping taxpayers, as well as better target fraud and evasion to bring in more money for public services.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
The central London hotel with skyline views and private heated swimming pool
IF you want a central hotel with an amazing restaurant and on-site pool, Park Plaza Riverbank ticks all the boxes. Here's everything you need to know. 3 3 Where is the hotel? Overlooking the river Thames, Park Plaza Riverbank is a short walk from Vauxhall Station in London, or a quick bus to London Waterloo. What is the hotel like? The huge hotel is much bigger than it looks on the outside. Walking in, the dark interior makes you feel like you are in a luxury resort. From the lobby, you can check in to your room at reception as well as head up the escalators to the on-site restaurant, gym and spa. What are the rooms like? Each of the rooms are kitted out with queen or king-size beds, as well as working desks and a 49 inch Smart TV with Chromecast facilities. I loved the options of plug sockets, with EU, UK & US, and there were tea and coffee making facilities as well. Each of the bathrooms have complimentary toiletries along with a bath or shower depending on the room. Rooms start from £159. Opt for the hotel suites for floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river as well as the London Eye and Big Ben, while some even have their own massive balcony terrace with views of the skyline. What is there to eat or drink there? The hotel restaurant is a must. Chino Latino offers a Pan-Asian fusion with everything from sushi and dim sum to steaks and seafood. Not sure what to go for? Opt for one of three of the set menus so you can try it all, best chased by a deliciously sweet Sakura Martini, made up of gin, lychee and rose. Make sure to ask for a window seat for a beautiful sunset view. This is also where you will find breakfast, with enough hot and cold options to keep everyone satisfied. What else is there to do there? The hotel has a heated private pool which you can book free sessions. My 6:30am morning session meant I had the whole place to myself. You can follow this up with a trip to the sauna or steam room, or the gym next door. Or for £25, there is the 12th floor River View Lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks all day. But if you want to explore the nearby area, you are right in the middle of London so most of the top attractions are a short train or bus away. Is the hotel family friendly? Yes, there are a number of hotel rooms and suites that sleep up to two adults and two kids. Is there access for guests with disabilities? The hotel has Braille lifts, as well as rooms with wider guest room and bathroom doorways. There is also wheel-chair accessible lobbies, entrances and public bathrooms. Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here. 3
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Urgent warning issued over ‘very convincing' web scams as shoppers conned out of £100s
SHOPPERS have been warned to look out for "very convincing" web scams that are conning people out of hundreds of pounds. There has been a recent rise in criminals creating fake websites for well-known brands, experts say, and many scammers are using AI to help them. 1 Costco is one of the retailers that has recently been targeted by these criminals, with the wholesale business warning customers to be vigilant when shopping online. Dozens of reviews have appeared on Trustpilot in recent weeks from Costco shoppers who paid for orders but never received them, with some claiming to have bought items costing hundreds of pounds. Costco responded to several customers on the review site, writing: "We were unable to locate an order with the details provided and suspect that the purchase may have been made through a fraudulent website posing as Costco. "Unfortunately, there has been a recent increase in fraudulent websites impersonating Costco." In another Trustpilot response to a customer who had fallen for the scam, it urged shoppers to "check the URL which is displayed when shopping online". It added: "Our site displays at the beginning of the web address." Some Costco shoppers may have lost hundreds of pounds to the scam. In one review, a customer claims they bought a Bosch router table, which are on sale for up to £500 from some online retailers, but had not received it. Costco responded saying their order could not be found and it was likely bought through a fake website. Another customer said they ordered a keter Manor outdoor shed, which retails for over £200 on the high street, and were told by Costco they had likely been scammed. Avoid being ripped off by car hire companies with these four top tips It's not just Costco that has been targeted by fake websites - experts told The Sun that the scam is on the rise. 'Criminals are increasingly creating convincing looking websites that mimic well known retailer that lure shoppers in with seemingly genuine branding and tempting offers," said Jake Moore, global security adviser at ESET. "These sites often harvest lots of personal and payment information or take money without delivering goods." He said they're also becoming "incredibly easy to make" with the use of AI, as it means scammers no longer need to know how to code to create fake websites. "The end results are often near perfect copies too," he said. Starling Bank financial crime specialist Sarah Lenette adds: With the rise of AI, scammers have everything they need to create very convincing retail sites in very little time, which include all of the correct branding, products and relevant offers and deals." One common way you can end up on a fake website is by clicking on a fake ad on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok or Instagram. "Users then unknowingly find themselves on a site believing they are on the legitimate retailer," Jake says. It comes after a raft of fake Wilko websites offering huge discounts were set up by scammers after the retailer fell into administration in 2023. Cath Kidston and Joules have also been targeted by the scams. How to spot a fake website While scammers have become more sophisticated, there are several ways you can keep an eye out for fake websites when shopping online. Which? Consumer Expert Rob Lilley-Jones says you should avoid any deals that seem "too good to be true" - as they usually are. "Another tell-tale sign of a scam website will be poor spelling and bad grammar," he adds. Look out for any websites that don't have a physical address and a phone number and email address to contact them. "If they don't, it's a red flag," Rob says. He also suggests using a domain checker like to see when the website was set up. "If it's recent, and the company claims to be a well-known one like Costco, it's a scam," he says. Sarah Lenette adds that you should be wary of any URLs for UK retailers that end in .org or .net. You should also avoid clicking on social media ads that you're unsure about, she says. "Always search for the retailer on a search engine and head to them independently, as well as checking for independent reviews on sites such as TrustPilot," she says. Costco was contacted by The Sun but declined to comment.
