Online Safety Bill raises questions over "legal but harmful"

THE UK Government finally unveiled the latest version of the Online Safety Bill, that is aimed at to help tackle fraudulent and misleading adverts, along with adding a:- "duty of care" for website owners. The idea is being pushed out to the public that it is being done to stop children from accessing inappropriate and harmful content, as well as giving communications regulator Ofcom the power to issue fines or block sites that break the rules. Earlier versions of the bill were accused of not being strong enough, and other changes recently announced include criminalising cyberflashing and making porn sites ensure users are over 18. Other changes to the Online Safety Bill include a requirement to report child sexual abuse to the National Crime Agency. On paper this is fantastic, but like Brexit, the idea might sound good, but... The internet is a global tool, so what could go wrong, especially as the UK doing its own thing and going entirely in the opposite direction to the EU? For getting headline, the new bill is is already raising questions... When you start to look closer, the first question that we see popping up is What constitutes:- "legal but harmful" as it’s not like there’s some clear definition! Oddly, we are told that the definition of what is soon to be:- "illegal" will be set out by the government in secondary legislation. There’s a lot in this bill, and it’s going to take a while to dig through the whole thing and find all the problems. It looks like it could be yet another case of rallying up the people, rather than figuring out what would actually be good. But we live in hopes... Interestingly it isn't just us asking questions, as Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director said in response to the publication of the latest version of the Online Safety Bill:- "This landmark legislation is important and necessary to keep people safe online, business wholeheartedly back this ambition. The goal should be to make the UK an international leader, not an outlier, in shaping the future of the internet. However, the Bill in its current form raises some red flags, including extending the scope to legal, but harmful content. Not only will this deter investment at a time when our country needs it most but will fail to deliver on the aims of this legislation. This is an incredibly complex set of regulations and businesses will be combing through the detail over the coming days. Ensuring the Bill is feasible for companies to implement is essential; they will work with policymakers to make that happen as the Bill moves through Parliament." We would love to hear your thoughts on this and to see what you think the wording:- "legal but harmful" means. Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Liverpool 1 gets ready to bloom as it kick starts Spring in the City

AWARD winning leisure and retail destination Liverpool 1 is in full bloom; literally; from this week, as it gets set for spring and unveils a string of floral displays and plans for the season ahead. Running until 5 June, Liverpool 1 in Bloom will bring smiles to the faces of everyone this spring. Visitors can expect to be welcomed with a large array of beautiful botanical and floral arrangements created in collaboration with award winning floral design team, Poppy Belle Florals, who's previously worked with celebrity clients such as Jonathon Ross, Stacey Solomon and Mrs Hinch. A wide variety of flowers, textures and foliage of all colours are now in place across the estate including:- Peter's Lane, Peter's Square, Key's Court, Paradise Street, South John Street, College Lane and in the Tourist Information Centre.

Liverpool 1 in Bloom acts as a springboard for other activities also set to take place this season. Also on the calendar is the return of the much loved Ping! table tennis tables and Nature Trail, from 1 April 2022, while fashion influencer Emily Bull has been on hand to help get visitors ready for a day at the races.

Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "As we move into spring we wanted to refresh the estate and create an environment that everyone can enjoy and Liverpool 1 in Bloom, together with so many other things to enjoy outdoors, makes the centre of the City the perfect destination this spring. We've hand picked new designs and activities that will be sure to boost anyone's mood, and at the same time provide some blooming lovely photo opportunities! The past couple of years have encouraged us to get outdoors more, enjoy more alfresco dining than ever before, enjoy fresh air and soak up what's right on our doorstep. We've brought back popular activations such as the AstroTurf grass on the steps, which has become the perfect performance location and made it easier for people to come outside and enjoy socialising again; or indeed have some alone time; watching the world go by, here at Liverpool ONE."

Across the estate, there are plenty of Instagrammable opportunities in Peter's Square, where visitors can take a seat on a newly installed bench adorned with free flowing flowers, placed in front of a flower wall on an AstroTurf base in the middle of the square. Customers at Hotel Chocolat can enjoy the view from their extended outdoor seating, expanding on to the AstroTurf. A giant branded Liverpool 1 shopping bag overflowing with foliage and flowers will also be installed on Paradise Street.

On South John Street, flowers will form a central pillar from the lower to upper ground next to Victoria's Secret, and further hanging installations will be found at Key's Court where the ceiling will be decked out with floral arrangements which will cascade around the central pillar close to L'Occitane. Hanging baskets and flower balls will be draped from the pillars throughout Peter's Lane Arcade, making it 1 of the most striking shopping areas in the City.

Even the City's Tourist Information Centre in Liverpool 1 is receiving a botanical makeover, with hanging installations in place above the main desk. Retailers across the estate are creating their own displays and restaurants are adding blossoming flowers in floral fashion. At the same time there will be various floral themed events taking place throughout the coming months at Liverpool ONE, including:- flower giveaways, musical performances and walkabout performers. For more information about Liverpool 1 in Bloom, please visit:- Liverpool-One.Com.