Documents obtained by the Telegraph have shown that the internet giant Google has met with the UK Department for Transport officials five times in the last two years to discuss self-driving car regulations. The Telegraph has reported that Google has praised the UK as a leading developer of laws regarding such technology.
A case review is being undertaken into the quality of forensic science reports provided to the courts relating to specific cases, the Police Oracle reports. A number of rape cases are being studied regarding how exhibits were handled and whether poor practice was a systemic issue in such cases, from initial crime scene investigation to the final court process.
A current loophole in the legal system means that inexperienced doctors and medics can be called upon to work as custody doctors without adequate support. As a result of this, quality control for healthcare service in custody is considered not stringent enough.
New legislation that aims to help reduce the number of cases of school bullying has been tabled in Northern Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph reports. John O'Dowd, the Education Minister, created the Bill that aims to provide a legal definition of bullying and introduce a requirement for schools to record every incident.
Trading Standards have issued a warning to the public about illegally imported puppies entering the UK and the risk they pose. The Northampton Chronical and Coventry Observer have both reported cases of puppies being brought into the UK illegally in recent months.
A new standards body is to be established with responsibility for ensuring the quality of apprenticeships. The independent body will be led by businesses and paid for by a levy on employers with a payroll of over £3m.
A private parking firm has recently made calls for improvements to be made regarding parking regulations, The Courier reports. Smart Parking has said it would back the introduction of an independent appeals service amid a controversy about new payments systems implemented at three of its sites in Perth – systems motorists have found confusing.
The rules on school funding in England are set to be reformed, with an announcement expected in Chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement on 25 November 2015. Critics of the current system claim it produces unfair discrepancies in funding per pupil.
