UK Government Faces Backlash Over Green Energy Ties to Uyghur Forced Labour

The UK government has removed the three-year time limit on civil claims for child sexual abuse, allowing survivors to pursue justice at any point after turning 18. This reform, introduced as part of the implementation of recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), is expected to empower hundreds of survivors, particularly those affected by grooming gangs, to seek compensation and apologies from their abusers. According to the Ministry of Justice, current laws often exclude claims because victims may take years to disclose their experiences. With the new changes, cases will proceed unless defendants prove that a fair trial cannot take place due to reasons such as a lack of evidence. Richard Scorer and Kim Harrison, legal representatives for many victims, welcomed the reforms as “long overdue” and highlighted the need for justice in light of the impacts of trauma. Justice minister Sarah Sackman emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring courts are accessible and supportive for survivors, acknowledging their need for time to address their trauma before seeking legal recourse.

A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that the UK Home Office wasted nearly £100 million on plans to house asylum seekers, highlighting a "dysfunctional culture" within the department. The report examined the controversial acquisition of the £15.4 million HMP Northeye, a former airbase in Bexhill-on-Sea, which experts warned was riddled with asbestos and other hazards. The PAC criticized senior civil servants for ignoring available expert advice and bypassing crucial financial safeguards. The chair of the committee, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, described the purchase as "rushed and misjudged." Additionally, £34 million spent on the Bibby Stockholm barge, which had far fewer occupants than planned, and another £60 million on a site at RAF Scampton that was abandoned, contribute to the total waste. In response to these findings, a Home Office spokesperson stated that the Northeye site would not be progressed to ensure taxpayers' money is prioritized. The report urges the Home Office to demonstrate how it plans to prevent further public spending waste and improve the integration of asylum seekers.

Yann LeCun, a prominent figure in artificial intelligence (AI) and chief AI scientist at Meta, has forecasted a significant technological revolution within the next three to five years, driven by the current limitations of existing AI systems. LeCun received recognition as one of seven engineers awarded the £500,000 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering for their contributions to machine learning. He emphasized that new breakthroughs are necessary for systems to understand and interact effectively with the physical world, which is vital for achieving advancements such as domestic robots and fully autonomous vehicles. Despite recent progress in AI capabilities, exemplified by platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT, LeCun indicated that systems still struggle with real-world comprehension. He noted, “We’re not talking about matching the level of humans yet. If we get a system that is as smart as a cat or a rat, that would be a victory.” Fellow winner Yoshua Bengio echoed concerns about the need for enhanced safety measures in AI technology, urging global leaders to grasp the associated risks. This recognition comes on the heels of AI pioneers winning two Nobel prizes in 2023, reflecting the growing impact of machine learning on industries worldwide.