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Dry and cold in the south today with some sunny spells. Cloudier in the north with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Windy in northern areas with gales in northern Scotland. Mild in the north. Tonight: Staying largely cloudy across with north with light outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Dry and cold in the south with some clear spells, allowing for patchy fog and frost.

Monday’s news briefing

What’s dominating the UK news cycle this morning? 

The government is to set out plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) across the UK to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently. The AI Opportunities Action Plan being announced on Monday will be backed by leading tech firms, which are said to have committed £14bn towards various projects, creating 13,250 jobs, the government said.

The pound has dropped to its lowest value against the dollar since November 2023 while government borrowing costs have continued to rise. The pound fell to $1.21 on Monday morning as the recent sell-off continued.

An off-duty police officer has died after she was struck by a lorry while helping at the scene of an earlier crash. PC Rosie Prior, 45, had stopped to help Ryan Welford, 41, from Knaresborough, and was standing on the verge of the A19 at Bagby in North Yorkshire, when they were hit by a lorry at 08:55 GMT on Saturday.

A horror attack at an A&E in Manchester has seen a nurse stabbed by a 37-year-old man. It’s understood that the attack on the nurse was triggered by a dispute over waiting times.

There is growing backlash regarding Los Angeles elites – including Hollywood celebrities – over reports that they are hiring private firefighters to protect their homes and properties.

January 13, 2025 11:33 am

Pound sterling continues to suffer as traders pare bets on Fed rate cuts

Sterling suffered again on Monday, falling to a 14-month low against the dollar amid a global sell-off prompted by concerns that the US Federal Reserve will only cut interest rates once this year.

The pound was trading as much as 0.7 per cent lower against the dollar this morning, dropping to $1.211. It was the worst performing currency against the dollar in the G-10.

“Sterling continues to trade on a soft footing and its losses could extend this week,” Chris Turner, an FX analyst at ING said, suggesting the pound could fall to as low as $1.20.

The sell-off comes after a bruising week for UK assets last week, with sterling falling over three per cent and gilt yields picking up to the highest levels in decades.

https://www.cityam.com/pound-sterling-continues-to-suffer-as-traders-pare-bets-on-fed-rate-cuts/

Monday’s front pages feature a variety of domestic and international stories. Several newspapers lead with the prime minister’s AI strategy – set to be revealed today. Keir Starmer will set out plans to use AI across the country to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan being announced on Monday will be backed by leading tech firms, which are said to have committed £14bn towards various projects, creating 13,250 jobs.

Away from the AI story, many of the papers are made up of a mixture of news. Several papers continue their coverage of the LA wildfires, whilst images of the UK’s frosty weather make some of the newspapers.

The back pages report on Manchester United knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup yesterday – as well as news Man City and England player Kyle Walker wants to leave the Premier League and play abroad.

UK AI Revolution

the times logo

‘Tech firms can plunder NHS records in bid to fuel AI revolution,’ says The Times.

The UK government’s AI strategy includes a proposal to open the NHS health data archive to major tech firms. This initiative aims to position the UK as a leader in AI by utilising anonymised patient records, scans, and biodata to train AI models. These resources are expected to attract substantial US tech investment, but concerns about data misuse have been raised. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has assured that the NHS and government will retain control of the data. (Source: The Times)

the guardian logo

‘Mainlined into UK’s veins’: Labour announces huge public rollout of AI

Artificial intelligence will be “mainlined into the veins” of the nation, ministers have announced, with a multibillion-pound investment in the UK’s computing capacity despite widespread public fear about the technology’s effects.

daily mirror newspaper

‘Nurse stabbed at Royal Oldham Hospital,’ is the lead for the Daily Mirror.

A nurse at Royal Oldham Hospital suffered life-changing injuries after being attacked by a 37-year-old man. The Daily Mirror reports the assault was triggered by a dispute over waiting times.

telegraph logo

‘Streeting considering changes to compensation laws for those harmed by Covid vaccine,’ says the Telegraph.

The Health Secretary is considering changes to compensation laws for individuals harmed by the COVID-19 vaccine. A letter from Wes Streeting to the spouse of a vaccine victim mentions potential legislative reforms. (Source: The Daily Telegraph)

daily mail logo

‘Record NHS A&E wait times,’ reports the Daily Mail.

New data from NHS England analysed by the Liberal Democrats reveals over 518,000 patients waited 12 hours or more on trolleys in A&E last year. This figure, 400 times higher than a decade ago, highlights the severe pressure on emergency departments, which were overwhelmed even before winter flu outbreaks. The Department of Health has attributed the crisis to a “broken NHS” it inherited.

Daily express logo

James Cleverly accuses government of tax attack,’ highlights the Express.

Writing for the Daily Express, former Home Secretary James Cleverly accused the government of a “tax attack,” claiming that rising taxes have harmed families, businesses, farmers, and schools. The government cited significant challenges during its initial months in office.

telegraph logo

‘Cabinet told to be ruthless in public spending cuts,’ says the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph says the Treasury has “ordered cabinet ministers to be ruthless in identifying public spending cuts”. The paper reports that an internal memo from Chancellor Rachel Reeves admits “difficult decisions on budgets will be needed”.

The metro Newspaper HD logo

‘Los Angeles Wildfires stir controversy as rich hire private fire fighters,’ says the Metro.

The Metro reports outrage in Los Angeles over the response to wildfires. Wealthy individuals, including celebrities, have hired private firefighters, sparking backlash from locals accusing them of exploiting resources during a crisis.

daily mail logo

‘Meghan Markle Netflix show delayed by Wildfires,’ says the Mail.

The Daily Mail notes that Meghan Markle’s latest Netflix show has been postponed due to the wildfires in Los Angeles.

Last night’s FA Cup match – Arsenal vs Manchester United dominates social media. Fans react to Kai Haverz penalty miss (amongst many Arsenal misses during the 90) as Manchester United beat the Gunners 5-2 on penalties. 
Billy Meredith@BillyMeredithMU
Is there a better penalty save than this? Altay Bayındır is 6’6” and look how fast and far how got down to save it. Good penalty from Kai Havertz but it’s simply a WORLD CLASS save!
ESAU@Esau_Matsiko
He’s not the one who told Odegaard to miss the penalty He’s not the who who told Havertz to miss seaters He’s not the one who told Rice to miss a free header He’s not the one who told Havertz to miss that penalty He’s innocent. The players let him down

Half of UK businesses said they planned to “redirect investment from staff to AI” due to Rachel Reeves’ decision to increase employers’ tax bills.

FT.com Tweet

Investors will be paying close attention to the UK economy again this week ahead of a series of crunch data releases.

CITY AM Tweet
January 13, 2025 11:37 am

Extra bank holiday 2025: Hospitality industry slams Number 10 decision

Bank holidays 2025: Number 10 has announced the additional day off has been canned

It had been rumoured that an additional bank holiday would make its way onto the calendar for 2025 to earmark the end of WWII, but Number 10 has announced that the extra day off won’t be going ahead.

UK hospitality bodies have slammed the government’s decision to can the extra bank holiday. Restaurant and bar groups say that bank holidays provide an extra financial boost to the hospitality sector.

Their messages echo calls made in 2022 to make the additional bank holiday for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee a permanent new addition to the calendar (pleas that were ultimately not met).

https://www.cityam.com/extra-bank-holiday-2025-hospitality-industry-slams-number-10-decision/

January 13, 2025 11:33 am

What to Watch

Amazon prime - TV & Netflix

We give you the best picks to binge on this week.

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Do you have anything to add? Have your say tweet your comments @wtxnews and we will share the best ones on tomorrows briefing

Very sad to hear that Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia, the same condition Bruce Willis suffers from. Appeared on her show many times over the years and she’s a fabulous character & superb broadcaster. Wish her and her family all the best.
Tom
Palestinians are human beings who deserve to live in freedom and joy. That is why hundreds of thousands of us have exercised our right to protest. We will be here as long as it takes until there is an immediate ceasefire, an end to the occupation, and a just & lasting peace.
Jeremy IT Consultant
Keir Starmer and his allies, clutching a can of petrol in one hand and a box of matches in the other, tutting loudly at the flames. Starmer has no effin clue
MoSocialist
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