Day: January 10, 2026

NO EXCUSES: Statement on xAI’s Grok image generation and editing tool

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall calls for swift action after reports xAI’s Grok tool continues to allow generation of intimate deepfake images

The Technology Secretary has commented on the changes xAI has implemented to its chatbot overnight, and government action to stamp out this form of abuse.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent. It is an insult and totally unacceptable for Grok to still allow this if you’re willing to pay for it. I expect Ofcom to use the full legal powers Parliament has given them.

“I, and more importantly the public – would expect to see Ofcom update on next steps in days not weeks.

“I would remind xAI that the Online Safety Act includes the power to block services from being accessed in the UK, if they refuse to comply with UK law. If Ofcom decide to use those powers they will have our full support.

“We will be banning nudification apps in the Crime and Policing Bill which is in parliament now.

“We are in the coming weeks bringing in to force powers to criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent.

“I expect all platforms to abide by Ofcom’s new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) guidance and if they do not, I am prepared to go further.

“We are as determined to ensure women and girls are safe online as we are to ensure they are safe in the real world. No excuses.”

Resident Doctors’ strike action averted in Scotland

Unions consider revised pay and contract reform offer

Resident Doctors have called off proposed strike action across Scotland after the British Medical Association (BMA) Scottish Resident Doctors Committee agreed to ballot members on an offer of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27.

The committee is recommending that their members accept the two-year pay deal offered by the Scottish Government – that matches one already accepted by nurses and other healthcare staff – alongside a separate package of contractual reform.

The combined offer will see an 8.16% cumulative pay uplift over two years and an additional investment in contractual reform over the same period.

The total investment in the offer for both pay and contract reform over the two-year period will be £133 million. The BMA will now consult their members on the deal with planned industrial action on 13 January no longer going ahead. 

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “It is great news that we have reached an agreement that has allowed next week’s industrial action to be halted.

“This avoids the cancelled operations and disruption to patient care that no one, including resident doctors, wanted to see. Days of intensive and constructive talks have got us here and I thank the BMA, and my team, for getting us to this point.

“The combined offer will see the same pay deal which nurses and NHS support staff agreed. It also includes additional investment in contractual reform over the same period, providing a total investment of £133 million over this time. 

“It further underlines our commitment to the 2023 pay and contract reform agreement. I hope Resident Doctors will now vote to accept.”