Your commercial news round-up: Apple, AI, Next, British Steel

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As businesses wait for the UK and the US to announce the framework of a new trade deal, let’s take a look at some other developments in the commercial news this week. The court battle over Apple’s App Store continues, and ministers and technology companies are set to meet to discuss how AI could be used to tackle violence in prisons. Meanwhile, the warm weather has helped retailer Next boost its sales and British Steel has announced a hiring drive, following a government intervention into production.

• Technology company Apple has gone to the appeals court over a recent ruling about its App Store. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple had violated an order she previously made in a case filed by Epic Games, which demanded that Apple must stop any anti-competitive behaviour and allow outside payment options in its App Store. Last week, she determined that Apple was flouting this demand. Apple has alleged in a court filing that her order prevents the company from controlling "core aspects of its business operations". Apple requested that the appeals court lift a ban that stops it from charging developers fees on purchases made outside of the App store. The company wrote that these restrictions "will cost Apple substantial sums annually".
   
• Technology firms are set to meet with the justice secretary to discuss how AI and technology could be used to tackle violence in prisons and cut re-offending. Plans include using data to help probation officers to improve risk assessments and offender tracking. Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain Shabana Mahmood has urged companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Google to work with ministers as part of government plans. On Thursday 8 May, ministers and 30 companies will discuss how digital platforms could help to rehabilitate offenders. Mahmood said: “We inherited a justice system in crisis, with prisons close to collapse and staff overburdened and under pressure. […] We need bold ideas to address the challenges that we face – supporting our staff, delivering swifter justice for victims and cutting crime.” Commenting on the proposals, Law Society President Richard Atkinson said: “If technology can help tackle the prisons crisis by providing additional probation capacity, then this should be explored. But it must be done without compromising quality or public safety as part of a wider programme of investment in capacity and efficiency.”
   
• Sales at retailer Next have surpassed expectations by £55 million. The UK’s uncharacteristically warm weather has boosted sales of the brand’s summer clothing range. On Thursday 8 May, it reported that full-price sales rose by 11.4% in the 13 weeks to 26 April, compared with the same period last year. Shares also grew by 28% thanks to overseas expansion. The company expects its annual pre-tax profits to be £1.08 billion, which is a 6% rise compared with last year. Next also recently reached £1 billion in profit, making it the fourth British retailer to pass this milestone. The company has also managed to steer clear of the recent cyberattacks that have hit other big retailers like M&S, Harrods and Co-op.
   
• British Steel said it intends to hire more than 180 new employees, putting the wheels in motion to ramp up iron and steel production. This announcement comes months after parliament approved emergency legislation to take control of the site, amid concerns that the company’s Chinese owner, Jingye, planned to close production. While Jingye remains the legal owner, the government has power to direct the company. Increasing production is one way to stem the losses of more than £700,000 a day at the Scunthorpe site, according to Jingye. Interim chief executive of British Steel, Allan Bell, said: “With the backing of the UK government, we are focused on cementing British Steel as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of steel. These are exciting opportunities across our business, offering rewarding careers, which will play important roles in building stronger futures for our business and the UK economy.”

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