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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
MPs vote to continue parliamentary ping-pong over AI ‘theft' crackdown
Conservative shadow science minister Dr Ben Spencer, who described himself as a 'Bill Murray fan', called on the Government to 'bring an end to this Groundhog Day'. Peers agreed on Monday to amend the Government's Data (Use and Access) Bill. Their proposal would force the Government to prepare fresh legislation which would open up AI model databases, so that copyright owners could see whether their works have been used as 'data inputs'. But MPs voted 317 to 185, majority 132, on Tuesday to reject the amendment and continue the battle at Westminster, known as parliamentary ping-pong. Rocket Man singer Sir Elton John is among the stars who have urged the Government to strengthen copyright protections, when he said last month that ministers are 'absolute losers' and that he felt 'incredibly betrayed'. Dr Spencer told the Commons: 'Copyright law is a toothless instrument if the lack of transparency about the use of create content in AI models continues. 'The lack of transparency renders rights enforcement elusive, and the Government is apparently happy for this to persist on an open-ended basis.' At the despatch box, he added: 'Creatives continue to lose out when their work is exploited without payment, the AI industry, especially smaller firms, can't get out of the starting blocks let alone play their part in turbocharging our tech economy, and the Government continues to risk the confidence of both key industries with the chilling effect on investment that this entails.' On the stand-off, Dr Spencer told the Commons: 'We're stuck in Groundhog Day in this Bill until the Government realises that the Lords' amendments are not a nuisance but an opportunity, and that they need to listen to the concerns and change course.' There is no time commitment from the Government benches whatsoever on bringing back a Bill to this House to address the current theft of property that is raining down on the UK creative industries Conservative former minister Sir Julian Smith Conservative former minister Sir Julian Smith later said: 'There is no time commitment from the Government benches whatsoever on bringing back a Bill to this House to address the current theft of property that is raining down on the UK creative industries.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Technology minister Sir Chris Bryant had earlier spoken against the amendment, which was put forward by Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason director Baroness Kidron. 'One could argue that introducing a draft Bill which would then be considered in various different places, followed presumably by a Bill, would actually delay things rather than speed things up,' Sir Chris told the Commons. He said that he 'cannot think of any Bill in our history that has included such a clause', to compel the Government to bring forward new draft legislation within three months of the publication of a report into the use of copyrighted works in the development of AI systems. Sir Chris told MPs: 'A central plank of parliamentary sovereignty is no parliament can bind its successor. 'That doesn't just mean from one parliament to another, but it means one session can't bind a future session.' Commons culture, media and sport committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative MP for Gosport, accused Sir Chris of 'dancing on the head of a pin' and added: 'The fact is that all legislation somehow binds those that are coming down the track.' The Bill will now return to the House of Lords.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Closure of Arla factory in Settle could 'kill' town
The loss of a factory employing 130 people has hit hard in a community where "everyone" knows someone who has worked co-operative Arla intends to shut its creamery in Settle, North Yorkshire, by 2026 and transfer production to Lockerbie in Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, said Arla bosses "didn't even look at" alternative proposals to keep the site open, which the company BBC visited Settle to find out how Arla's departure will impact the town. Peter Thornton, director of Settle Coal, which has premises next door to Arla, said the plant had "been here as long as some of the hills".The 56-year-old said a dairy first opened on the site in 1965, and had always traded with his company."There'll be a lot of small local businesses that will miss Arla, ours particularly." Anne Carr, who was serving lunch to workers from her mobile catering van on the industrial estate, remembered when "all the employees were local people, local families worked there, it was owned by local people".She said the closure would make a "big difference" to the area and likely impact her business, Anne's Butty Van, which is opposite the creamery."It's just the uncertainty of it: what is going to happen?" Ms Carr said some people "have known it be the dairy for such a long time"."Everybody knows somebody that's worked at the dairy at some point or another. It's been one of those go-to places," she said. 'Dying town' Opinion was split among three men buying sandwiches, none of whom wanted to be named."It's outgrown its situation," one said, citing issues with the local water supply and an unpleasant odour which had led to added: "It's a shame because it's been a focal point of Settle since the industrial estate started, but it's a changing world."He said not many people who lived in the town were in work, with many properties now holiday homes or occupied by retirees."It's a dying town in that way."The third man raised concerns about who would take over the site."We're not sat on the side of a dual carriageway or a motorway, whichever way you go you've an hour to go to the motorway."How do we get jobs into Settle?" One retired man, who has lived locally for 20 years, didn't want to give his name because "it's an emotive subject around here"."I think it's quite devastating," he said, pushing his wheelbarrow towards an allotment near the site."There's all this newbuild housing going on, but I don't know how they're going to expect to fill them if the people here have got no work. There's something sadly wrong somewhere." In the town centre, one shopkeeper added: "Nobody likes the idea of it closing down, but will we actually notice it?" Local MP Smith, however, said the closure would have a "major impact" on jobs in the supply chain, transport and other businesses supporting the plant."The town of Settle had provided Arla with a lot of broader support, despite some of the odour-related issues of recent months and years," he said community stakeholders and the GMB union had met to offer alternative proposals to Arla, including new, larger sites and funding, but that the company "just had those meetings and very rapidly continued with the pathway I believe they were always on".In a letter to the chief executive of Arla, Smith also said a "lack of engagement" from the company "demonstrates a disregard for the community". Smith told the BBC: "I was pretty appalled that there was a dedicated group of people really trying to work through options. Arla didn't even look at them."If I was the chair of the Arla board, I would be looking at the disrespect that the Arla executive showed to that group of people, and the lack of openness, as a real failure," he said. The Labour Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said: "We did go in there with incredibly good faith and we're not entirely sure they've always had that same good faith as well."He pledged to support those who would lose their jobs as a result of the closure, including the delivery of a "skills package". In a statement on 28 April, a spokesperson for Arla said the company had "engaged with employee representatives and the GMB union in detailed and meaningful consultation", and "carefully considered all alternative proposals".Confirming the closure, they added: "We remain open to exploring alternative uses for the Settle site during the transition phase."Understandably, this remains a period of uncertainty for our colleagues, and our foremost priority is to continue providing support as we navigate the subsequent stages of the consultation process." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dairy bosses urged to rethink closure plan
Staff, unions and politicians have urged a dairy manufacturer to think again over its plans to shut its North Yorkshire site. Arla announced proposals to close its base in Settle last month, with 128 jobs under threat as a result. A consultation meeting between union representatives, staff and politicians unanimously supported efforts to try and save the factory, with the area's Conservative MP Julian Smith describing the news as a "massive blow" to the town. Arla, which plans to move more of its operations to Lockerbie in Scotland, said it was consulting with staff affected by the closure. A despatch operator at the factory, Dean Hird, said the news had been "devastating" for staff. He said: "It's not only me. I've been here for years, but my daughter recently started here as well, so it's bad news for the family really. "We all thought it was a job forever until we retired. Young people have got mortgages on the strength of it, so it's knocked everyone for six." Stuart Wiseman, a shift team leader, said: "I started here nine years ago and worked my way from the bottom up and Arla has been a really good employer. "I live about 20 minutes away so it's about looking at what the options are now, as a family." A spokesperson for Arla said: "We are entering into a period of consultation with all colleagues affected by these proposals and it is our priority to fully support these colleagues through this difficult period." It said it would continue to engage with the GMB union and employee representatives. Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon at Westminster, said those fighting the closure would continue to "present alternatives" to Arla, which is a co-operative. "Arla and its predecessors have been in Settle for decades and they made a big investment in 2021, so it's both a huge shock and a massive blow. "Settle offers a great location and a great workforce," the MP added. Deanne Ferguson, GMB regional organiser, said union members had unanimously backed efforts to try to save the factory at the consultation meeting earlier. "It's a community and a place which they love," she said. "It's historically linked to generations of family, who face being uprooted and having to move elsewhere." North Yorkshire councillor for the area David Staveley said Arla leaving would have a major impact on the town. "They will be sorely missed if they do go and that will have a ripple effect throughout the town. "The facility here does attract various secondary, support industries for those to go would further compound the impact financially and economically on the area." A further two consultation meetings have been scheduled to take place in due course. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Factory closure plans could see 128 jobs lost GMB Arla UK
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Arla bosses urged to rethink plans to close Settle factory
Staff, unions and politicians have urged a dairy manufacturer to think again over its plans to shut its North Yorkshire announced proposals to close its base in Settle last month, with 128 jobs under threat as a result.A consultation meeting between union representatives, staff and politicians unanimously supported efforts to try and save the factory, with the area's Conservative MP Julian Smith describing the news as a "massive blow" to the which plans to move more of its operations to Lockerbie in Scotland, said it was consulting with staff affected by the closure. A despatch operator at the factory, Dean Hird, said the news had been "devastating" for staff. He said: "It's not only me. I've been here for years, but my daughter recently started here as well, so it's bad news for the family really. "We all thought it was a job forever until we retired. Young people have got mortgages on the strength of it, so it's knocked everyone for six."Stuart Wiseman, a shift team leader, said: "I started here nine years ago and worked my way from the bottom up and Arla has been a really good employer. "I live about 20 minutes away so it's about looking at what the options are now, as a family." A spokesperson for Arla said: "We are entering into a period of consultation with all colleagues affected by these proposals and it is our priority to fully support these colleagues through this difficult period."It said it would continue to engage with the GMB union and employee who represents Skipton and Ripon at Westminster, said those fighting the closure would continue to "present alternatives" to Arla, which is a co-operative."Arla and its predecessors have been in Settle for decades and they made a big investment in 2021, so it's both a huge shock and a massive blow."Settle offers a great location and a great workforce," the MP added. Deanne Ferguson, GMB regional organiser, said union members had unanimously backed efforts to try to save the factory at the consultation meeting earlier."It's a community and a place which they love," she said."It's historically linked to generations of family, who face being uprooted and having to move elsewhere."North Yorkshire councillor for the area David Staveley said Arla leaving would have a major impact on the town."They will be sorely missed if they do go and that will have a ripple effect throughout the town."The facility here does attract various secondary, support industries for those to go would further compound the impact financially and economically on the area."A further two consultation meetings have been scheduled to take place in due course. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida senior sets American record at SEC Swimming and Diving Championship
Florida senior Julian Smith broke the American record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a 49.51-second finish on Friday, the fifth night of the 2025 SEC Swimming and Diving Championship in Athens, Georgia. Smith broke Liam Bell of Cal's record from last year's NCAA Championships by two-hundredths of a second, setting the collegiate standard as well. It's also the new high for the SEC and Florida, both of which were already held by Smith (49.98) and it's a new SEC Championship Record, previously held by former Gator Caeleb Dressel (50.03, 2018). He broke 23 seconds in the first 50 yards, which is atypical for a record-setting swim. Another oddity to consider is that Smith didn't swim in this race during the 2024 Olympic Trials. He participated in the 50-meter freestyle and 100-free. When he came to Florida, Smith's best time in the event was 55.4 seconds. AMERICAN RECORD SECURED🔶Julian Smith secures gold in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 49.51📺SECN#GoGators — Gators Swimming & Diving (@GatorsSwimDv) February 21, 2025 Smith also helped Florida set the NCAA record in the 400-yard medley relay, swimming the breaststroke leg of the race. Jonny Marshall began the race with a 43.91 in the backstroke, Smith went 48.95 in the second leg, Josh Liendo posted a 42.12-second butterfly and Alexander Painter anchored with a 40.68 freestyle. Florida won the race by more than four seconds (2:55.66) and set a new NCAA, SEC, SEC meet and US Open record. The women's medley relay team of Bella Sims, Anita Bottazzo, Olivia Peoples and Micayla Cronk also placed first in the race, giving Florida its first title since 2005. The team time of 3:24.78 is an SEC meet record. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida swimming and diving Julian Smith American record 100-breast
