WIREDGOV

ICO Blog from Simon McDougall; How do we balance the interests of society against individual rights, on issues like facial recognition technology?

How do we allocate rights & responsibilities in a world of connected devices and real-time automated decisions?  How much thought does the law require organisations to put into what is ‘right’, and what their customers would reasonably expect to happen to their data?

We face an increasing number of these types of questions, as we consider the practical implications of growing use of personal data.  I’m sure many working in the digital economy might be tempted to look in my direction for the answer.  It’s the regulator’s job to tell us what the law says, right?

But the reality, as always, is somewhat more complex. The GDPR is a principle-based law.  That is its great strength.  It sets out general rules, which can then be applied to a range of situations, whether that’s how a local running club looks after members’ contact details, or how big data can be used in health research.   It means the law can continue to be relevant, even as technologies are developed that weren’t even thought of when the law was being drafted.

Interpretation of that law is complex though, and increasingly we see broad ethical questions being raised around how data is being used.  There is debate around when data protection and data ethics overlap, where they are separate, and where they may even conflict.

Engaging in data ethics is an innovative step, but I don’t think it’s one that will prove unique.  An international consultation in 2018 found more than 4 in 5 believe authorities should play a role in this area.

The Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to research by the UK-wide National Referral Database on social prescribing. 

Read More

“Social prescribing schemes remain in their relative infancy on a national scale but are becoming increasingly popular as councils look to embed preventative approaches in the services that they provide.  Locally-led, targeted interventions and facilities, such as museums, libraries, leisure centres & parks, have a major role to play in helping communities to become creative and physically active”.

The LGA’s report ‘Just What the Doctor Ordered’ highlights some case studies where social prescribing has had an impact on individuals & local communities and we will be publishing a guide to effective social prescribing for local authorities in April 2020.  

Public Health England (PHE) issues cold weather alert following the arrival of colder weather in some parts of England.

With warnings that cold weather is on the way for the north east, north west and Yorkshire & Humber, PHE is urging people to look out for those most at-risk.

Dr Emer OConnell, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health England, said: “Older people and those with heart and lung problems are at risk of getting sick in cold weather.  Keep an eye out for those who may need help staying warm, ensure they wear lots of thin layers and have everything they need.

Below 18 degrees, changes to the body mean that the risk of strokes, heart attacks & chest infections increase, so heating homes to this temperature is particularly important to stay well”.

Introduction to guidance on policy, pests, legislation & inspection relating to bees in Scotland.

In Scotland there are currently around 1,400 hobby beekeepers who are members of the Scottish Beekeepers Association (SBA), with an estimated further 1,000 hobbyists who are not. There are also around 25 commercial bee farmers who are members of the Bee Farmers Association (BFA) whose businesses depend on the management of healthy honey bees.

All beekeepers have a significant role to play in ensuring disease management and control measures within their own apiaries are in order and have a legal obligation to report any suspicion of a notifiable disease or pest to us by emailing Bees_mailbox@gov.scot.

There is a range of information available to beekeepers on the National Bee Unit (NBU) website BeeBase and Beekeepers are encouraged to register on BeeBase which gives information to help those with an interest in honeybee health to keep their bees healthy.

Registered Beekeepers get notifications automatically by email if disease is found within a 3km radius of their apiaries so they can increase their health monitoring.  Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) provides a free diagnostic service to beekeepers to identify & confirm the presence of bee diseases and pests with a rapid turnaround time.

How the government is supporting communities and business affected by the recent severe flooding.

Since the first day of flooding on Friday, 8 November, the government is providing the following support to help the recovery of people, communities and businesses:

• The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) activated the emergency Bellwin scheme on the first day of the flooding. Under Bellwin, local authorities dealing with the flooding can apply to have 100% of their eligible costs, above a threshold, reimbursed by the government. This could be for items including rest centres, temporary accommodation and staff overtime.

​The government has activated the Flood Recovery Framework

Meaning that for all lower tier or unitary local authority areas which have 25 or more flooded households:

• MHCLG has committed funding to give all eligible households & businesses affected by the recent severe flooding immediate relief on their Council Tax and Business Rates for at least the next three months.
• MHCLG is providing a Community Recovery Grant to local councils – equivalent to £500 per eligible household – to help communities and vulnerable people in areas severely affected by the flooding with their immediate recovery.

Also, as part of the framework; the BEIS)is also providing funding for a Business Recovery Grant which will provide up to £2,500 per eligible small and medium-sized businesses which have suffered severe impacts from the floods that cannot be recovered from insurance.

MHCLG has also deployed Recovery Liaison Officers to the most intensely affected local authorities who will work closely with all councils and Local Resilience Forums.

Scotland will incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into law to the maximum extent possible within the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

The UNCRC is the most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced and sets out the rights of every child, irrespective of where they live, their religion or make-up of their society.  This includes rights relating to health & education, fair & equal treatment and the right to be heard.  Children’s rights are human rights and apply to everyone under the age of 18.

To incorporate the UNCRC into law a Bill will be laid before Parliament next year. The Bill will allow for incorporation of the provisions of the Convention currently beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament, should these powers change in the future.