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  • Mother of boy who may have died in TikTok challenge urges No 10 to ban social media

    Ellen Roome, whose son, Jools Sweeney, was 14 when he died, wants a ban put in place for under-16s The mother of a teenager who believes he died in a TikTok challenge gone wrong has said Downing Street has been too slow to move towards a social media ban for under-16s, and accused the government…

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  • Palantir’s UK boss criticises ‘ideological’ groups as ministers move to scrap NHS contract

    Louis Mosley says government should resist calls to trigger break clause in £330m deal with US analytics company UK politics live – latest updates Palantir’s UK boss has urged the government not to give in to “ideologically motivated campaigners” as government ministers explore a way out of a £330m NHS contract with the tech company.…

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  • NHS deal with AI firm Palantir called into question after officials’ concerns revealed

    Exclusive: in 2025 briefing to Wes Streeting, officials warned reputation of tech firm behind US ICE operations would hinder rollout of data system in UK Health officials fear Palantir’s reputation will hinder the delivery of a “vital” £330m NHS contract, according to briefings seen by the Guardian, sparking fresh calls for the deal to be…

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  • More than 100,000 people urge MPs to ban social media for under-16s in UK

    Letters sent using campaign group’s template as Keir Starmer indicates Australia-style move being considered MPs’ inboxes have been flooded with letters calling for an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, as the prime minister indicated such a move was being considered. More than 100,000 people have contacted their local MP since the grassroots organisation Smartphone…

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  • Wes Streeting asks US expert Jonathan Haidt to address officials on social media ban for under-16s

    Exclusive: Health secretary issues invitation in push for UK to consider copying landmark restrictions in Australia Wes Streeting has asked Jonathan Haidt, a bestselling author and high-profile advocate of banning social media for under-16s, to speak to his officials in his push for the UK to consider following a landmark ban in Australia. The health…

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  • Kemi Badenoch says Tories would ban under-16s from ‘addictive’ social media

    Conservative leader backs Australian-inspired policy to stop platforms ‘profiting from their anxiety’ UK politics live – latest updates The Conservatives are backing a ban on social media for under-16s in an attempt to prevent addictive platforms fuelling anxiety and distraction among teenagers. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, said she did not like the word ban…

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  • AI tool that speeds up patient discharges trialled by NHS

    Pilot at London trust aims to reduce paperwork and free up doctors, as UK brings AI to public services An artificial intelligence tool designed to speed up the discharge of patients is being trialled at a hospital trust in London. The platform completes documents needed to send fit patients home, potentially saving hours of delays…

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