Microsoft has ‘ripped off the NHS’, says MP amid call for contracts with British firms

Manchester United's plans to sell personal seat licences (PSLs) to fund the £2bn redevelopment of Old Trafford are jeopardized by the UK government's proposed clampdown on ticket touts. The PSL model allowed holders to sell their match or season tickets at a profit, but this practice will be outlawed under new legislation expected in the next King's Speech.

The public accounts committee (PAC) has reported that the NHS has not met its targets for reducing waiting times as outlined in its recovery plan, despite significant financial investments. The PAC's findings suggest that Labour's efforts to 'fix the NHS' may be faltering, with key objectives for improving access to planned care and diagnostic tests missed. As of July, 192,000 individuals were waiting over a year for care, contradicting promises to eliminate such delays by March 2025.

UK security minister Dan Jarvis has warned that Members of Parliament (MPs) and peers are facing a 'covert and calculated' effort by the Chinese intelligence service to recruit them through LinkedIn profiles. This alert follows a warning from MI5, which indicated that individuals linked to the Chinese government were attempting to gain non-public insights from those with access to sensitive information about the UK government and Parliament.

Microsoft and Nvidia have made a significant investment in Anthropic as part of a cloud services deal. This move follows a similar agreement between OpenAI and Amazon, highlighting the competitive landscape in the artificial intelligence sector. The collaboration aims to enhance cloud capabilities and leverage Anthropic's expertise in AI development, positioning both Microsoft and Nvidia to strengthen their offerings in the rapidly evolving tech market.

The UK government has indicated that the new Northern Ireland Troubles bill could provide a renewed opportunity for justice for families of over 70 individuals killed by the IRA and other paramilitaries in unsolved attacks in England. Security minister Dan Jarvis stated that scrapping the immunity scheme would allow relatives to seek answers. The Home Office noted that there are still 77 unsolved killings, including 39 British armed forces personnel, from the Troubles period, with over 1,000 people injured in these incidents.

Survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK are facing delays in accessing reconstructive surgery on the NHS. Authorities have stated that further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of such procedures. As a result, many survivors are compelled to seek treatment abroad, often at their own expense, highlighting the challenges faced by those affected by FGM in accessing necessary medical care.