Tech firms have three months to stop children seeing or sending explicit content, Starmer says

Summary

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for tech firms to "introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images"
Starmer made an address a little earlier at London Tech Week about the government's plan for tech reforms
The Home Office has released its plans for what controls would be implemented - here's an overview of what the government wants
If big tech firms don't intervene, the government will introduce new legislation requiring it, the PM adds
Existing laws already require firms to remove illegal content, including that which depicts child sexual abuse or promotes suicide or self-harm, our tech reporter notes
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says it's "not enough" to only ban certain features, while Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper criticises the timing of the announcement
It comes as the government consults on screen time guidance for families with children and mulls a social media ban for under-16s

Live Reporting

Edited by Imogen James and Angus Thompson

'We're on the precipice of something truly extraordinary'published at 09:17 BST 8 June

Image source, Getty Images
Starmer continues, and says tech companies need the right conditions to succeed, saying they need the freedom to move fast.
He says the government has simplified regulations, created a global talent task force and unlocked investment for them to do so.
Britain has every reason to be confident, he says, adding "we're on the precipice of something truly extraordinary".
A technology revolution is coming, he says, and the question is "what kind of country we want to be as it unfolds", and whether the UK shapes the change or allows it "to shape us".
Starmer says soap factory being turned into AI centre is a glimpse into technology revolutionpublished at 09:14 BST 8 June

Image source, Reuters
Keir Starmer begins by saying it's tempting to jump straight to the future when talking about AI and technology - but chooses to talk about what is happening today.
He focuses on Warrington, a town in Cheshire. He says the closure of a long-running soap factory became "a symbol of a community left behind".
But now that factory is being transformed into a new AI data centre, creating new investment, skilled jobs, and opportunities.
"Young people can look at that site and see not what their community used to be but what it can become," he says.
Starmer says stories like this are a glimpse into an "emerging revolution in technology" - which Britain is "uniquely placed" to lead as the third-largest technology economy in the world.
He adds that half of all European investment in tech this year occurs in the UK.

Starmer begins speechpublished at 09:06 BST 8 June

Image source, PA Media
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has started delivering his speech on the government's latest announcement on tech reforms.
We'll be bringing the latest lines and analysis of his speech and remember you can watch live at the top of our page.
Skills minister: We want young people to benefit from tech opportunitiespublished at 09:01 BST 8 June

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith says the government's technology announcements this morning will "help young people actually to be able to benefit from the opportunities that our success in the UK in technology should be able to bring to everyone, not just to a few".
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on the new AI tech tool the government has described as a "jobcentre in your pocket", she says that young people who are on universal credit will still have face-to-face consultations.
Pressed on the challenges for businesses who feel they cannot afford to take on young people, Smith stresses that businesses taking on apprentices under the age of 25 do not have to pay any National Insurance and if businesses take on young people under 21 also do not have to pay any National Insurance.
She also outlines job grants for businesses taking on apprentices and people who have been out of work.

A 'jobcentre in your pocket' - PM to announce new AI toolpublished at 08:50 BST 8 June

Image source, Reuters
The prime minister has vowed to make AI work "for everyone" as he prepares to unveil a new AI tool that will help jobseekers get into work.
The AI assistant will provide 24/7 guidance on topics such as career development and job applications through a "CV builder" feature.
It will be trialled for three months online and officials hope it will serve as a "jobcentre in your pocket" for people seeking employment.
An AI "bootcamp scheme" will also be rolled out across England over the summer to provide resources to those at risk of becoming out of education or training.
It comes as the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows the number of those aged 16-24 not in employment, education or training has risen above one million. You can read more about that here.
Starmer is expected to say "we’re using tech to bring opportunity to every corner of the country – helping people into work, tackling inequalities, boosting skills and building a fairer future".
Starmer to deliver speech on tech reformspublished at 08:45 BST 8 June

Image source, Getty Images
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to deliver a speech this morning on tech reforms.
As part of his address, which will take place shortly after 09:00 BST, the prime minister expected to speak about the use of AI, as well as harms associated with technology use.
The speech comes as Starmer vows to make tech work "for everyone, not just the privileged few" as the government announces an AI assistant to help jobseekers in a new trial.
It also comes as the government consults on screen time guidance for families with children. Labour has also been consulting on whether to ban social media for under-16s, as scrutiny of tech companies builds following a world-first ban in Australia in December.
We'll bring you updates from the prime minister's speech, which you can also watch live on the stream at the top of the page.