HMRC to use caller voice as a password, bite size technology information now available, and a reminder to protect workers using display screen equipment
Today’s blog post covers a wide range of topics, ranging from HMRC’s plans to use a caller’s voice as their password, the availability of tech information in a bite size format which is easy to digest, and a reminder to employers from HSE to ensure their workers are using display screen equipment safely.
Your voice could be your password
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have plans to use a caller’s voice as their password in an effort to speed up phone calls.
In systems that are being used by banks, a customer’s voice recording is turned into encrypted biometric data, which is then used when they call to clear security checks. HMRC are planning to trial a system like this.
HMRC has come under heavy fire for the poor handling of its customer service phone lines. According to statistics, for January through November last year, the phone line went dead on almost 44,000 callers who had been waiting 70 minutes.
The Public Accounts Committee in their January report concluded that HMRC was deliberately running a poor phone service to try and get taxpayers to use online help instead. Last year, HMRC announced that they were closing their phone line altogether between April and September. However, they had to reverse that decision the next day after a backlash.
It seems that efforts are now being made to modernise the phone service and make it more efficient.
See: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07z5d0v79ko
Are you bamboozled by new technology? Bite-size guides could help
New technology continues to progress at a fast rate. It can be difficult to keep up or see the opportunities for your business.
Some new bite-sized introductions have been published by the Government Office for Science that may help.
The topics discussed include:
- Neurotechnology
- Metamaterials
- The future of computing
- Carbon management technologies
- Fusion energy
- Robotics
- Humanoids
The introductions briefly set out the latest evidence and some expert insight on recent developments in the technology. They also show some potential applications and opportunities for the technology.
Could one of these introductions spark the next idea for your business?
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-bite-sized-technology-guides-published
Safe working with screens: What employers need to know
The Health and Safety Executive are reminding employers about their responsibilities to protect workers from the health risks that come from working with display screen equipment (DSE), including PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations apply to any worker that uses DSE on a daily basis for continuous periods of an hour or more.
For these workers, the Regulations mean that employers need to do a DSE workstation assessment and reduce risks such as by making sure breaks are taken.
The law applies not only to workers at a fixed workstation but also mobile workers, home workers and hot deskers. Home workers can be easily overlooked because you don’t regularly see their work environment.
As well as the assessments, employers are also required to provide eye tests if requested by the employee and to provide training and information.
HSE provides a guide on what employers need to do as well as a checklist of the things to consider when doing a workstation assessment.
See: https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/index.htm
Latest statistics from ACAS: Employers proactive about finding information
In their latest blog, ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) revealed some insights from their latest helpline and early conciliation data.
Increased demand for services
They report that the demand for their services continues to trend up. Their helpline service handled around 158,500 calls in the final quarter of 2024, which is an increase of 11% on the previous quarter.
Web traffic has also increased significantly: up by nearly 20% on the previous year.
Employers proactively seeking information
They can see that employers and employees are being proactive about finding information when the law changes. There were 46,000 web sessions, a 180% increase, following the new duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment.
Main factors behind calls
The most common reasons for calls are discipline, dismissal and grievance. However, money matters seem to increasingly be a concern for employers and employees.
Analysis of work
According to ACAS, early conciliation cases have also increased in number, and there have now been consecutive increases in these for the last seven quarters. And legally complex cases are the largest proportion of their caseload since April 2023.
They report that so far the proportion of cases that do not progress to employment tribunal is remaining steady, which suggests that ACAS’s work is able to prevent two-thirds of cases from going further.
What does the future hold for employer-employee relations?
ACAS feel the future is “unpredictable”. The new Employment Rights Bill may affect both trade unions and workforces. The biggest causes of disputes lie around pay and money matters. This may increase in view of the increased National Insurance contributions due from April.
See: https://www.acas.org.uk/employers-and-employees-proactively-finding-answers-for-themselves
Funding announced for ‘exporting’ UK music acts
The Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) will be using their latest round of funding totalling £1.6 million to help support 58 UK artists to tour the world.
The funding will help small and medium sized music companies with their marketing and promotion campaigns for their artists touring abroad. The aim is to attract new fans, overseas touring opportunities and revenue.
MEGS has been operating since 2014 and has given out around £7.9 million in grants to support UK musical acts in touring abroad and finding an international audience. Some acts, such as Ezra Collective and Fat Dog have benefited from Brit Awards recognition.
The Creative Industries sector contributed almost £125 billion to the UK economy in 2023 and exporting UK music is seen by the government as an important way to continue growing the economy.
Red tape to be cut for payments systems
The government has announced plans to lay legislation that will end the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR).
The PSR currently looks after payment systems such as Faster Payments and Mastercard. However, its role will be consolidated into the Financial Conduct Authority.
Payment systems firms currently have to deal with three different regulators, which can make these systems unnecessarily complicated. Abolishing the PSR will simplify this.
Nothing is changing immediately. The PSR will continue to look after its work until Parliament has passed the necessary legislation.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/regulator-axed-as-red-tape-is-slashed-to-boost-growth