NHS to begin major digital transformation

📍Top line: Patients will soon have full access to their medical records through the NHS app as part of a sweeping digital overhaul of the health service. A new law will require GPs and hospitals to adopt a single system, allowing patients easier access to test results and appointments. Sir Keir Starmer is also asking the public for input on how to reform the NHS, with a ten-year plan aiming to digitise services and move more care into local communities.

Key points:

• Full medical record access via the NHS app: All patient information, including test results, letters, and appointments, will be available through the NHS app under new legislation.

• Unified system for GPs and hospitals: A standard record-keeping system will be mandated across the NHS, ensuring better data sharing and reducing inefficiencies.

• Neighbourhood healthcare expansion: More diagnostics, treatments, and minor injury care will shift from hospitals to local clinics.

• Financial incentives for GPs: Family doctors may receive extra pay if they reduce hospital admissions by treating more patients locally.

• Public input sought: The government will launch a consultation, asking patients and NHS staff to share their ideas on how to improve the health service.

BA and easyJet in pilot war

📍Top line: British Airways and easyJet are competing to recruit new pilots at Gatwick Airport as the aviation industry faces a staffing shortage after the recovery in air travel, according to The Times. Both airlines, which dominate Gatwick, are offering competitive packages to attract pilots, especially after pandemic-related pilot training halts exacerbated the shortfall.

Key Points:

• Salary Differences: EasyJet offers captains up to £191,000 in pay, while BA’s EuroFlyer division offers a maximum of £138,000.

• Aircraft and Pilot Pool: Both airlines operate the same Airbus A320 aircraft, leading them to compete for the same pool of qualified pilots.

• Pilot Shortage: A report predicts Europe could face a shortage of 19,000 pilots by 2032, further pressuring airlines to attract talent.

• Employee Benefits: EasyJet offers perks such as generous leave and free food, while BA provides discounted airfares for friends and family and a pension with contributions up to 15%.

• BA’s Return to Gatwick: BA temporarily left Gatwick during the pandemic and returned with its cost-cutting EuroFlyer division.

• Diversity Initiatives: EasyJet is aiming to recruit 1,000 new pilots by 2028, with a focus on increasing the number of female applicants, currently at just 6% globally.

Elsewhere in business:

📺 Sky reported an operating loss of £224 million last year, up from £111 million in 2022 as the British media and telecoms group ramped up investment in sports programming, as well as film and TV production. In 2023, Sky secured the majority of Premier League football broadcasting rights for over £5 billion. The company is also investing over £500 million annually in original programming, including shows like Mary & George and Sweetpea.

🍔 The hospitality industry is warning of a potential £900 million financial blow in the spring if the Chancellor does not address business rates in the upcoming budget. Major pub and high street venue operators have expressed concern that when business rates relief ends on March 31, the tax will quadruple.

How placing a £5 bet could cost you a mortgage

📍 Top line: While a casual bet on your favourite football team may seem like harmless entertainment, it could have a significant impact on your chances of securing a mortgage, according to Sky news. In recent times, some lenders have become increasingly wary of gambling transactions on bank statements, even when they appear minor or infrequent.

Key Points:

• Gambling Transactions: Mortgage brokers report that some banks are declining applications based on gambling activity, even if it’s occasional and not financially concerning.

• Individual Assessments: Lenders review applicants' bank statements, including spending habits, and habitual gambling may raise concerns, even if applicants are financially stable.

• Lender Policies: While some lenders like Santander, Barclays, and Nationwide don’t have specific gambling policies, they evaluate mortgage affordability by assessing overall spending, and decisions can vary case by case.

Elsewhere in the economy:

💷 Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor, may be able to borrow an additional £80 billion to fund infrastructure and green energy projects, according to lenders. Investors in UK government bonds have indicated they could support this extra borrowing if it is clearly planned and carefully managed. This funding would help address a reported £22 billion gap in public finances alongside planned spending cuts and tax increases in Labour’s upcoming budget.

🚆 Ministers are stepping in to directly oversee the construction of the HS2 rail line to tackle rising costs on the high-speed route between London and Birmingham, which could reach £65 billion. The government has also confirmed it will not revive earlier plans to extend HS2 to Crewe and Manchester, which were scrapped by the previous Conservative administration.

Disney has opened applications for its 2025 Accounting and Finance Internship in London. Successful applicants will play a key role assisting accounting and finance teams for one or more of the company’s businesses, such as Disney+ or Disney Studios. The twelve-month scheme is open to second year undergraduates who are embarking on an industrial placement scheme in June 2025. Apply now here!

TikTok fires intern for "interfering” with AI model

📍Top line: ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has fired an intern for "maliciously interfering" with the training of one of its AI models. Despite initial concerns, ByteDance clarified that the situation was not as damaging as some reports suggested.

Key Points:

• Incident Overview: An intern from ByteDance's advertising technology team was dismissed for tampering with an AI model's training process. ByteDance emphasised that the intern had no experience with its AI Lab.

• Impact of the Incident: Despite rumors, ByteDance denied that the incident caused significant damage, including claims that it resulted in more than $10 million of losses or disrupted GPU-powered AI systems.

• ByteDance’s Response: Beyond terminating the internship, the company notified the individual's university and industry bodies about the misconduct.

• AI Initiatives: ByteDance continues to lead in AI development, especially with its Doubao chatbot, a ChatGPT-like model that is the most popular in China. The company also employs AI for various other purposes, including the text-to-video tool Jimeng.

Elsewhere in tech:

🛴 Transport for London are planning to raise the speed limit for e-scooters and lower the minimum rider age. Currently, the nearly 5,000 rental e-scooters in London are limited to a maximum speed of 12.5mph. However TfL are aiming to raise this cap to 15.5mph and considering lowering the age limit for all e-scooters to 16, provided the rider holds a provisional driving licence.

🚗 The U.S. government has launched an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving software following four reported crashes, one of which was fatal. This comes after incidents occurred in conditions of reduced visibility, such as sun glare, fog, or dust. This evaluation is the first step before a potential mandated recall.

🏥 Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he underwent a heart procedure following a “sudden deterioration” in his health. The Grand Tour presenter experienced health issues while on holiday and, after returning to the UK, felt a tingling sensation in his arm. Medical tests showed his arteries were blocked, putting him at risk of a heart attack.

💰 Elon Musk has pledged to give away $1 million daily to a registered voter in Pennsylvania until the November presidential election. The random winners must sign a pro-constitution petition from Musk’s AmericaPAC, supporting Donald Trump's White House bid.

🚴 Sir Chris Hoy has been praised for his bravery and inspiring outlook after revealing that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In an interview with the Sunday Times, the six-time Olympic champion shared that doctors have given him a prognosis of two to four years to live. Despite this, Sir Chris expressed a positive and hopeful attitude, saying he feels "fit, strong, and positive."