Recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission

Concerns about abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives have increased in recent years. The Jo Cox Civility Commission made a number of recommendations in a 2024 report to address this because of concerns that this activity would dissuade people from standing in elections and encourage existing representatives to stand down. The government has instigated a number of policies to tackle the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.

Recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission

Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL]: HL Bill 5 of 2026–27

The Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] is a government bill that would make reforms to several areas of financial regulation, including reforms to the Financial Ombudsman Service, abolishing the Payment Systems Regulator, introducing a ‘provisional licences’ authorisation scheme, and making reforms to the UK’s bank ring-fencing regime. Its second reading in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on 8 June 2026.

Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL]: HL Bill 5 of 2026–27

Working from home: Lords Home-based Working Committee report

The House of Lords Home-based Working Committee published its report on home working in November 2025. The report examined how remote and hybrid working has affected workers, employers, and the UK’s wider economy and society. The committee said one of its key findings was that home working could help more people into work. The committee made a number of recommendations for the government, which the government responded to in February 2026.

Working from home: Lords Home-based Working Committee report

  • In Focus

    Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026

    The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 would expand the UK’s emissions trading scheme to include the domestic maritime sector. The government states this supports its climate change and net zero policies. However, concern has been expressed by some about the potential financial impact on the industry and a possible increased impact on Northern Ireland compared with other areas of Great Britain.

  • In Focus

    Treaty scrutiny in Parliament: Lords International Agreements Committee report

    The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has published a report on treaty scrutiny in Westminster. The committee described the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010’s framework for treaty scrutiny as a “weak and insufficient mechanism for securing meaningful accountability to Parliament” and called for it to be reformed. The government said it saw some difficulties in the committee’s proposals, but it was also “keen to work with the committee to help to mitigate or resolve, so far as possible, the issues which the committee has raised”.

  • In Focus

    Offence of misleading the public: Public Office (Accountability) Bill

    The Public Office (Accountability) Bill would implement Labour’s manifesto commitment to introduce a ‘Hillsborough law’, including placing a new duty of candour and assistance on public authorities and officials at inquiries. Clause 11 would introduce a new offence of misleading the public. The bill’s report stage in the House of Commons has been postponed whilst the government consults families and stakeholders on how certain provisions would apply to intelligence services.

  • In Focus

    Waste crime: Role of the Environment Agency

    In September 2025, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee held a short inquiry into waste crime. It argued the issue was critically under-prioritised and expressed concern that the Environment Agency had failed to pursue repeated reports of serious waste crime. The government has said that it is making reforms in this area and is investing in the Environment Agency.

  • In Focus

    Ministers in the House of Lords: Role and accountability to Parliament

    Ministers are needed in the House of Lords to take legislation through the House and answer for the government during questions and debates. Some cabinet ministers are appointed from the Lords. For example, the leader of the House of Lords is always a member of the Lords. This briefing looks at the role of ministers in the House of Lords and how they are scrutinised.

  • Research Briefing

    Sentencing Bill: HL Bill 142 of 2024–26

    The Sentencing Bill is a government bill that started in the House of Commons. It received its first reading in the House of Lords on 30 October 2025 and is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 12 November 2025.

  • In Focus

    A national youth strategy

    On 12 November 2024 the government announced it would co-develop a new national youth strategy with young people. Alongside this, the government said that it would be closing the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme. The announcement of the new national strategy has been broadly welcomed, but concern has been expressed by some organisations about the closure of the NCS and funding challenges faced by the sector more widely.

  • In Focus

    Post Office Horizon IT scandal: Progress of compensation

    The Post Office introduced the Horizon computer system into branches from 1999. The system, used for accounting and stock-taking, inaccurately recorded losses and money missing in branches. The Post Office has identified 700 convictions in cases it prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 in which Horizon evidence may have featured. Compensation schemes have been established by the Post Office and the Department for Business and Trade. However, progress in making payments has been criticised for being too slow.

  • In Focus

    Youth mobility schemes

    The UK has schemes to allow young people from specific countries to come to the UK to live and work for a limited period of time. In April 2024, the European Commission made a proposal to the European Council to open negotiations with the UK on agreeing a youth mobility scheme between the UK and the EU. The Labour government has stated that it has no plans for a scheme with the EU. Several organisations have expressed support for it, but others have expressed concern that it would be a return to a form of freedom of movement.

  • In Focus

    Sentences of imprisonment for public protection: HM Prison and Probation Service annual report

    Imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences were indeterminate sentences given to serious offenders who posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public. Although it is over a decade since they were abolished, more than 2,000 people are still in prison serving an IPP sentence. The Labour government has said it would not conduct a resentencing exercise but has said it would continue its efforts in supporting those in custody to reduce their risk and move towards a safe and sustainable release.

  • In Focus

    The importance of social cohesion and communities

    The importance of social cohesion and strong communities has often been discussed in the context of international events which have increased tensions between groups in the UK. This briefing examines what is meant by social cohesion, provides an overview of recent reports on social cohesion and communities, and sets out recent government statements on its policies to address concerns about social cohesion.

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