Eve Collyer Merritt Archives

In Focus

Competition for specialist training programmes in the NHS: Sector views and the government’s plans for resident doctor training posts

Thursday, 10 July, 2025

In recent years, resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) have faced increased competition for specialty training roles. Doctors can apply for specialty training after completing two years of foundation placements. While NHS England is in the process of reviewing postgraduate training for medics, the government’s new 10 year plan for the NHS has pledged to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors with significant NHS experience for specialty training. The plan also included an ambition to create more specialist posts.
- In Focus
- Education
- Employment
- Health
In Focus

Cardiovascular disease: What is the government doing about England’s leading cause of premature death?

Tuesday, 03 June, 2025

Premature deaths from cardiovascular disease were decreasing until 2019, but have since risen. The government has said it aims to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and strokes by 25% within a decade. While local authorities must commission ‘health checks’ to assess risk factors in 40- to 74-year-olds, the National Audit Office found variable delivery, uptake and regional inequalities. Health organisations have called for a dedicated strategy on cardiovascular disease.
- In Focus
- Health
In Focus

Access to prosthetics for amputees in England

Monday, 28 April, 2025

In England, the NHS provides prosthetics where suitable for people who have had a limb amputation. However, concerns have been raised about how quickly individuals can access multifunctional limbs. Also, while high-performance sports prosthetics are available for children, some campaigners are calling for adults to be able to access them from the NHS.
- In Focus
- Health
In Focus

Headlight dazzle: Shining a light on safety concerns

Wednesday, 23 April, 2025

Drivers report being dazzled by increasingly bright headlights from oncoming vehicles. This briefing assesses what we know so far about the potential causes and impacts.
- In Focus
- Transport
Research Briefing

Tobacco and Vapes Bill: HL Bill 89 of 2024–25

Thursday, 10 April, 2025

The bill aims to create a 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, alongside other measures to tackle smoking and tobacco harms. It would also further regulate vaping, curbing its appeal to children, while enabling adult smokers to use vapes as a quitting tool. The bill is similar to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which fell at dissolution 2024.
In Focus

Human body parts for sale, on display and in collections: Law, policy and campaigns for repatriation

Friday, 07 March, 2025

In the UK, human body parts can legally be held in museums and private collections, as well as offered for sale. Many items were collected in colonial contexts, without the consent of communities. Indigenous groups are campaigning for the return of their ancestors’ remains. This briefing sets out the relevant background and law on this issue in the UK.
In Focus

Biodiversity and conservation: International commitments and UK government policy

Friday, 07 March, 2025

Studies indicate that biodiversity is declining. The UK and other countries are signed up to international agreements requiring national strategies that tackle biodiversity loss. The Labour government has been conducting a rapid review of the previous administration’s environmental improvement plan to develop a new strategy to protect the natural environment.
- In Focus
- Environment
In Focus

Lifelong learning: England’s adult education sector and the government’s plan for skills

Wednesday, 29 January, 2025

Lifelong learning can have social, professional and health benefits. However, funding and student numbers have decreased over the past decade. Government policies aim to align skills and learning opportunities with local and national economic priorities. Policies include devolving adult skills funding to mayoral authorities, introducing the lifelong learning entitlement, and establishing Skills England.
In Focus

Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: Background and progress in 2024

Wednesday, 18 December, 2024

In 2024 the restoration and renewal programme announced it would be developing three options to preserve the Palace of Westminster. Details should be presented to Parliament in 2025. Members will then decide whether the programme should temporarily relocate both Houses of Parliament, keep the Commons Chamber onsite while temporarily relocating the Lords, or conduct a rolling programme of works “to deliver enhanced maintenance and improvement”. Surveying, design and remediation work was also progressed in 2024.
In Focus

What is the future of human life expectancy?

Tuesday, 17 December, 2024

Advances in science and medicine led to rising life expectancy in the UK throughout the 20th century, but increases have slowed. Are we nearing the ceiling of life expectancy or will a new wave of research change everything? This briefing explores the science and policy implications of life extension.
In Focus

US election 2024: How will Donald Trump’s return impact the UK’s global future?

Monday, 16 December, 2024

With ‘America first’, where will the UK stand? This briefing looks at views on President-elect Trump’s potential trade and international policies.
In Focus

Long-duration energy storage: House of Lords Committee report and plans for a new scheme

Monday, 16 December, 2024

Renewable energy generation can depend on factors like weather conditions and daylight hours. Long-duration energy storage technologies store excess power for long periods to even out the supply. In March 2024, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said increasing the UK’s long-duration energy storage capacity would support the UK’s net zero plans and energy security. The government has announced an investment support scheme, to launch in 2025.
In Focus

Allergies and the NHS: Allergy prevalence, treatment options and potential improvements to NHS allergy care

Monday, 09 December, 2024

An estimated third of the UK population live with allergies. Campaigners have called for improvements to NHS care, including more specialists, better training in primary care, and easier access to medication for those affected. The government has said that work is ongoing on a national strategy for allergies, and it will be considering whether to appoint a national allergy lead.
- In Focus
- Health
In Focus

Budget 2024: Inheritance tax, family farms and food security

Thursday, 05 December, 2024

In the autumn budget the chancellor announced changes to inheritance tax reliefs. From April 2026, taxes would apply to agricultural assets over £1mn (or up to £3mn in certain circumstances). The government has said this would just affect the wealthiest landowners and disincentivise buying agricultural land to avoid tax. Farming groups have argued the policy is a threat to the future of family farming and the UK's food security.
In Focus

Fracture liaison services: Towards 100% coverage in England

Monday, 25 November, 2024

Fracture liaison services proactively identify people at risk of fractures caused by osteoporosis. Patients can then be assessed and treated to prevent future fractures. The provision of fracture liaison services in England has been called a ‘postcode lottery’ by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, and evidence shows variation in quality and reach. The government has committed to 100% coverage by 2030.   
- In Focus
- Health

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