
Ministers' silence on threats to our creatives is bewildering
On Wednesday, with his departmental team-mates Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, and Feryal Clark, the minister for artificial intelligence, looking on, Sir Chris Bryant, the minister for the creative industries, displayed his notable oratory at the dispatch box while failing to answer questions from Labour MPs.
Again and again, his own MPs — amid legislators from all sides of the house — asked 'Why?'. Why not support the powerhouse UK creative industries to take their place in the global AI supply chain, turbocharging a growth-driving sector? Why not use the Data (Use and Access) Bill to stop a multibillion-pound industry from being plundered? And, crucially, if not now, then when?
There were no answers on policy, no timeline, no lifeboat for our creative sector. The
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Major bank to axe key bank account perk for thousands of customers within days
A major bank will axe a key bank account perk for thousands of customers in a matter of days. Halifax, part of Lloyds Banking Group, is getting rid of "Extras" for Rewards current account holders. The bank currently charges a £3 monthly fee to run this bank account and customers are given freebies in return for hitting certain targets. For example, customers can get £5 paid into their bank account or a free cinema ticket if they either spend £500 on their debit card each month or hold a balance of over £5,000. Halfiax has plans to close down this service come September, meaning customers who meet these targets will no longer get a reward. To prepare for this, Halifax has told customers that from June 17 they will no longer be able to add Reward Extras to their account or renew an existing Reward Extras offer. But it is not all bad news as the bank is axing the service to make way for a number of new features. Currently, Halifax charges a £3 monthly fee to run this bank account and customers are given freebies in return for hitting certain targets. For example, customers can get £5 paid into their bank account or a free cinema ticket if they either spend £500 on their debit card each month or hold a balance of over £5,000. But the bank has plans to close down this service come September, meaning customers who meet these targets will no longer get a reward. This includes fee-free debit card spending abroad and a £100 interest free arranged overdraft to existing and new eligible Reward account customers. Rewards customers are currently charged a 2.99% fee for using their debit card abroad. Fresh wave of bank branches set to close for good in June That means customers are currently charged an extra £2.99 for using their debit card to pay £100 abroad. This change will come into effect on August 1. Customers who meet the requirements will also be allowed to enter into a £100 overdraft and not face any interest. OTHER BANK CHANGES The Co-operative Bank announced it would be increasing the monthly charge on its Everyday Extra package bank account in July. Currently, customers pay a monthly fee of £15, totalling £180 a year. But starting from July 1, this fee will increase to £18 a month—an extra £36 annually. Elsewhere, Lloyds recently hiked the cost of its Club Lloyds account from £3 to £5. The packaged account provides extra benefits including a Disney plus subscription, cashback rewards, and access to linked savings accounts with preferential interest rates. Skipton Building Society also recently lowered the interest on a total of 92 types of savings accounts. How do I switch bank accounts? SWITCHING bank accounts is a simple process and can usually be done through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). Dozens of high street banks and building societies are signed up - there's a full list on CASS' website. Under the switching service, swapping banks should take seven working days. You don't have to remember to move direct debits across when moving, as this is done for you. All you have to do is apply for the new account you want, and the new bank will tell your existing one you're moving. There are a few things you can do before switching though, including choosing your switch date and transferring any old bank statements to your new account. You should get in touch with your existing bank for any old statements. When switching current accounts, consider what other perks might come with joining a specific bank or building society. Some banks offer 0% overdrafts up to a certain limit, and others might offer better rates on savings accounts. And some banks offer free travel or mobile phone insurance with their current accounts - but these accounts might come with a monthly fee.


Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Reuters
Former French president Sarkozy stripped of Legion of Honour medal
PARIS, June 15 (Reuters) - Former president Nicolas Sarkozy has been stripped of his Legion of Honour, France's highest distinction, after being convicted of corruption and influence peddling last year, according to a decree published in Sunday's Official Bulletin. The centre-right politician has been embroiled in legal battles since leaving office in 2012. Last year, France's highest court upheld his conviction for corruption and influence peddling, ordering him to wear an electronic tag for a year, a first for a former French head of state. Also last year, an appeals court confirmed a separate conviction for illegal campaign financing in his failed re-election bid in 2012. The rules of the Legion of Honour award meant that the revocation had been expected.


The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
Transfer news live: Arsenal's Gyokeres bid, Robertson to leave Liverpool and Man United continue Mbeumo chase
The transfer window is about to re-open after shutting following its mini-opening ahead of the summer's Club World Cup. The window will officially re-open on Monday (16 June) and clubs are continuing to make deals in the interim. Liverpool are making plans for a Florian Wirtz medical after agreeing a record £116.5m deal for the German superstar. The Premier League champions, who have already brought in Jeremie Frimpong, will make Wirtz their club-record signing after agreeing a deal with Bayer Leverkusen. However, they may well lose left-back stalwart Andy Robertson, with Atletico Madrid circling. Manchester United, who have secured Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, are negotiating with Brentford over Bryan Mbeumo, who would prefer a move to Old Trafford over Tottenham Hotspur even as Thomas Frank takes charges in north London – though Spurs want Mbeumo and teammate Yoane Wissa. Arsenal hope to bring in Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Arteta has made RB Leipzig striker, Benjamin Sesko, their No 1 target for a striker. However, the Gunners have reportedly submitted an offer for another dorward option – Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres. Chelsea, meanwhile, have been rebuffed in their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens. You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free, while all the latest updates, rumours and done deals from what promises to be a chaotic transfer window will be covered in the blog below: Wissa and Mbeumo on Spurs list Some Tottenham news this morning, with the Guardian reporting they are keen to sign not just Bryan Mbeumo but also his partner in crime Yoane Wissa. The duo were excellent this season for Brentford under manager Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou at Spurs this week. Frank wants to bring the duo, but Brentford will be reluctant to sell both of their star attackers in the same summer. Luke Baker15 June 2025 10:41 Arsenal submit bid for Sporting striker Gyokeres There have been conflicting statements from Viktor Gyokeres' camp and his club regarding potential fees for a move away and Arsenal have officially joined the race with a first bid. The Gunners have reportedly submitted a first concrete offer of £46.8m with up to £8.5m in add-ons for the 27-year-old Swede. He has also been linked with a move to Man United but Arsenal may prove the more attractive destination – that is, if they don't end up signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Luke Baker15 June 2025 10:40 Inside Liverpool's record Florian Wirtz deal – and how they can afford it German superstar Florian Wirtz is set to join Liverpool in a deal that could see him become the most expensive player ever signed by a Premier League club. The 22-year-old, who has become one of the most coveted players in world football during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, was a target for Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich, though Arne Slot's side quickly moved to the front of the race for his signature. Leverkusen had wanted €150m, or £126m, and previously rejected two bids from the Premier League champions. But Liverpool have agreed to sign Wirtz for an initial £100m, potentially rising to £116m, making him their club-record signing. But why has the German picked Liverpool as his next club, and when will the deal be finalised? Inside Liverpool's record Florian Wirtz deal – and how they can afford it The 22-year-old is set to sign for Liverpool for an initial £100m, which could rise to £116m Luke Baker15 June 2025 10:38