AI to support disabled people in the workplace, business rates valuation checks, and improvements in Google’s search services
Today we look into how the major tech giants are working with disability charities to support people with disabilities find and keep jobs, the deadline for business rates valuation checks is set for 31st March, and the CMA is proposing new measures to give businesses more control in Google searches.
Tech Giants Join Push to Improve Workplace Accessibility
The government has brought together major technology companies – including Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon – with disability charities to discuss how modern tech can help remove barriers that prevent disabled people from finding and keeping jobs.
The focus was on practical tools that are already available and how these could be more widely adopted. These include screen readers, real-time captioning and new AI-powered visual description tools.
This roundtable ties in with wider government plans, including the Connect to Work programme which is aiming to help 300,000 sick or disabled people into employment.
Plans are also afoot to overhaul the Disability Confident scheme with tougher standards and tailored support for smaller businesses. 19,000 employers have already signed up.
If you are an employer, the increased focus on making the workplace more accessible for disabled people may mean there are increasing opportunities to unlock talent that could both provide benefits to the community and improve your business.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tech-giants-meet-disability-sector-to-break-down-barriers-at-work
Deadline Approaching for Business Rates Valuation Checks
Enterprises that pay business rates are being encouraged to check their current property valuation and make sure the details held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are correct.
If you believe your valuation is wrong, you have until 31 March 2026 to request any changes to your current valuation.
After that, a new rating list comes into effect on 1 April, and you will only be able to request changes to your new 2026 valuation from that date.
To request any changes, you need a business rates valuation account. If you haven’t used yours recently, it’s worth checking that you can still log in. The verification process to claim a property can take up to 15 working days, so it’s sensible not to leave this until the last minute.
You will need a Government Gateway user ID or a One Login account to sign in to your account.
Support is available on GOV.UK for anyone needing help with registration.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/deadline-for-challenging-your-business-rates-valuation
CMA Proposes New Rules to Give Businesses More Control Over Google Search
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a set of proposed measures aimed at increasing fairness, transparency and choice for businesses and consumers using Google’s search services in the UK.
Given that Google accounts for more than 90% of general search queries in the UK and took over £10 billion in UK search advertising spend last year, these changes could have a meaningful impact on how businesses promote themselves online.
Google was designated with Strategic Market Status (SMS) in October 2025, which doesn’t imply wrongdoing, but it does allow the CMA to impose conduct requirements.
Below is a summary of what is being proposed and what it may mean in practice for businesses relying on Google to reach customers.
Improving user choice in search
Google is normally set as the default search service in its Android operating system and Chrome browser.
The CMA is proposing that it be made easier for users to choose which search service they want to use and be able to switch services more easily. If implemented, Google would be required to display more choice screens and give users the ability to change which search service they want to use at any time.
This change intends to help users select alternative search providers rather than defaulting to Google. That might mean a need to review advertising spend with Google but could also lead to lower advertising costs if competition between the various search providers increases.
Publisher choice and transparency
Content publishers, such as news outlets, blogs and others producing specialist content, are seeing a decline in the number of ‘clicks through’ to their websites because of generative AI features that Google is using.
The measures proposed would allow publishers more control over whether their material can be used within AI features, such as AI Overview, including being able to opt out.
There would also be clearer information for publishers on how their content is being used and Google would be required to take steps to ensure that any content used is properly attributed to the publisher.
Fair ranking
Search services are a key way of finding online customers, but many businesses lack confidence in how Google ranks websites.
Google can make changes to its algorithms at any time. This can result in additional costs to businesses as they try to understand what has changed and adjust their websites to ensure they stays visible in search rankings.
The CMA is looking to impose some ‘fair ranking’ conduct requirements. These include:
- Google not being allowed to discriminate based on whether the website has chosen to advertise on or has some other commercial arrangement with Google. A business opting out of its content being used in Google’s AI features could also not be discriminated against.
- Greater transparency on search rankings and a requirement to provide sufficient notice and information on upcoming changes.
- A clear and accessible process for complaints, with accountability to the CMA.
For businesses that rely heavily on search visibility, this could offer more confidence that search performance isn’t being undermined by opaque algorithms or unfair advantages.
Data portability
Google currently offer users the ability to transfer their search data to another provider. However, this is provided voluntarily, and the CMA is looking to make it a legal requirement.
What happens next?
The CMA is consulting on the proposals, and feedback is open until 25 February 2026. A final decision will follow once the responses have been assessed.
To review the consultation and participate, see: https://connect.cma.gov.uk/google-search-conduct-requirements