The onshore wind sector is rapidly expanding, with Britain aiming to become a "clean energy superpower" by 2030. Compliance with health and safety standards is therefore increasingly important.
In the UK, the Online Safety Act (OSA) passed into law in October 2023. At that time the basic provisions of the Act came into force, including appointing Ofcom as the regulator responsible for enforcement.
On 19 December 2023, Lord Young issued his opinion in Jon William Davie v Powerteam Electrical Services (UK) Limited and Vinci Energies UK Holding Limited.
The case concerned the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960 and raises timely questions of how far site occupiers must go to mitigate obvious risks and what is required to dismiss a personal injury action without hearing evidence.
On 26 October 2023, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act) received Royal Assent. Through a broad range of measures, it aims to strengthen the UK’s response to economic crime, prevent abuse of the UK economy, and support enterprise.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries for Great Britain for the period 2023/24.
The statistics show that the number of workers reported to be suffering from work-related ill health during 2023/24 was 1.7 million (showing a slight decrease compared to the previous year – 1.8 million workers).
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), serious injuries relating to tree work are 60 times the national average. Forestry work is a high-risk activity.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC Act) represents a significant change to the enforcement of consumer protection law in the UK.
Accordingly, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will take significant new direct enforcement powers for the enforcement of consumer protection law.
Since the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, technology has advanced and practices have evolved. Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and remote working have all completely reshaped the data landscape. As a result, data protection accountability tools, processes, and historical audits may no longer be up to date.
On 31 July 2024, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened a six-week consultation on the guidance (which it is required to publish under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) on how it will exercise its sweeping new powers to enforce UK consumer law.