• In Focus

    ‘Investing in energy: Price, security, and the transition to net zero’: Economic Affairs Committee report

    In February 2022, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into how the government could support investment in UK energy in order to achieve greater security of supply, improve affordability and meet the UK’s net zero targets. This article summarises the committee’s conclusions and the then government’s response to its recommendations. It also provides an overview of subsequent developments in the government’s energy policies.

  • Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Environment (September 2023)

    There have been several large wildfires this year, including in southern Europe, Canada and Hawaii. These have taken place during a period of record high temperatures around the world. This article considers the environmental impact of these recent wildfires, and the significance of climate change.

  • In Focus

    75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush generation

    22 June 2023 was the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the passengers of the Empire Windrush in the UK. The day celebrates the contribution and achievements of the Windrush generation and their descendants. This briefing provides background information for a debate in the House of Lords on marking this anniversary.

  • Research Briefing

    Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill: HL Bill 126 of 2022–23

    The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour). The bill would give workers who have a lack of predictability regarding their working patterns, such as workers on zero hours contracts, a legal right to request a change in their terms and conditions. It was first introduced in the House of Commons and received cross-party support.

  • In Focus

    Local government and local democracy in England

    The government has committed to continue the devolution of power from central government to local government in England. However, the process by which local devolution has been implemented has been criticised as complex and opaque. This briefing provides an overview of local government in England, the government’s policies on devolution and the criticisms made of the government’s approach ahead of a debate on local democracy in the House of Lords.

  • In Focus

    Woodland cover and grey squirrels

    The government has committed to halting nature decline in the UK and improving natural habitats. Grey squirrels, which are a non-native species to the UK, cause damage to natural habitats by stripping bark from trees in order to eat the sap beneath. This In Focus article looks at the government’s policies on supporting woodlands and controlling the grey squirrel population.

  • In Focus

    Size of the army: Numbers, tech and the latest on the integrated review

    In 2021, the government announced it would reduce the size of the army from 82,000 to 73,000 trained regulars. It also said the army would be modernised to take advantage of new technologies. This article looks at the current size of the army, the government’s 2021 integrated review and the findings of a recent inquiry on UK defence policy by the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee.

  • In Focus

    Liaison Committee: Citizenship and civic engagement

    During the 2017–19 session, the House of Lords appointed a committee to examine citizenship and civic engagement in the UK. In 2022, the House of Lords Liaison Committee held a follow-up to this inquiry, considering issues including citizenship education in schools, the ‘life in the UK’ test, and whether the government’s policies in this area are coordinated effectively. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate its report on 17 April 2023.

  • In Focus

    Built Environment Committee: Public transport in towns and cities

    In 2022, the House of Lords Built Environment Committee conducted an inquiry on public transport in English towns and cities outside London, including local bus services. It considered levels of demand for local public transport, how demand may have been changed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the extent to which existing public transport services met local needs. This briefing provides a summary of the committee’s findings and the government’s response.

  • In Focus

    Impact of climate change on Commonwealth countries

    Developing countries have been identified as some of those most at risk from the effects of climate change. This includes many of the member states of the Commonwealth. The UK government has made a series of commitments to provide support to developing countries in order to mitigate these risks, including through aid spending and international climate finance. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate these policies on 30 March 2023.

  • Research Briefing

    Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill: HL Bill 107 of 2022–23

    The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Baroness Taylor of Bolton (Labour). The bill would amend the Employment Rights Act 1996 to make it easier for employees to request flexible working. It was first introduced in the House of Commons and received cross-party support. The bill passed all its stages in the House of Commons without being amended.

  • Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Constitution (March 2023)

    In December 2022, the Labour Party published the final report of the Commission on the UK’s Future, also known as the Brown Commission, chaired by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The report proposed several constitutional changes, including the replacement of the House of Lords with an elected second chamber called the Assembly of the Nations and Regions. This article considers the proposals for the second chamber and sets out reaction to them from both inside and outside Westminster.

  • In Focus

    Arrival of the Empire Windrush: Celebrating the 75th anniversary

    National Windrush Day on 22 June 2023 will mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the passengers of the Empire Windrush to the UK. The day celebrates the contribution and achievements of the Windrush generation and their descendants. This briefing provides background information for a debate in the House of Lords on the government’s plans to mark this celebration.

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