Imran Khan: Rights and welfare during his imprisonment

The former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was arrested and imprisoned in 2023 on charges including corruption. Mr Khan has denied these charges. Concerns have been raised by Mr Khan’s family and supporters regarding his rights and welfare during his ongoing incarceration. The UK government has said that, while judicial matters are for Pakistan’s courts to decide, the Pakistani government should ensure Mr Khan receives humane treatment.

Imran Khan: Rights and welfare during his imprisonment

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: HL Bill 112 of 2024–25

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow adults in England and Wales with a prognosis of less than six months to live to be provided with assistance to end their lives, subject to eligibility criteria and conditions. It is a private member’s bill that was introduced in the House of Commons by Kim Leadbeater (Labour MP for Spen Valley). It completed its passage through the Commons in June 2025. Its second reading in the House of Lords is due to take place on 12 September 2025.

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: HL Bill 112 of 2024–25

  • In Focus

    NHS staff access to single-sex spaces

    The House of Lords is due to discuss NHS staff access to single-sex spaces on 1 May 2025. Following a recent Supreme Court judgment about the meaning of the term ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010, the Equality and Human Rights Commission issued an interim update on 25 April 2025 about the implications of this for workplaces and services provided to the public.

  • In Focus

    Costs of net zero by 2050

    The UK’s target of achieving net zero by 2050 was set under then prime minister Theresa May in 2019. To date, there has been political consensus on the target between Conservative and Labour governments. In March 2025, the Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch announced that her party no longer supported the target, in part because she did not believe it was affordable. This briefing examines the costs associated with achieving net zero by 2050 and how progress to the target has been legislated for under the Climate Change Act 2008.

  • In Focus

    Recent US and UK government policy on Ukraine

    The US government has recently shifted its approach to Ukraine, engaging in direct negotiations with Russia regarding the conflict’s resolution, pursuing a minerals agreement with Ukraine, and temporarily halting military aid and intelligence sharing. During these developments, the UK government has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine through financial and military assistance, in addition to hosting a peace summit and committing further military aid.

  • In Focus

    What is the current situation for healthcare in Gaza? Infrastructure damage, risks to health, and UK government response

    Gaza’s healthcare system is in crisis. Most facilities are damaged beyond use, and those remaining open face shortages of water, fuel and medical supplies. Gaza’s 1.9 million displaced people are at risk of malnutrition, starvation and the spread of infectious diseases. The UK government has called for civilians and medics to be protected, for aid and relief agencies to have consistent access, and for an end to the conflict.

  • Research Briefing

    Regulated and Other Activities (Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 9 of 2024–25

    The Regulated and Other Activities (Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench). It received its first reading on 29 July 2024 and is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 17 January 2025.

  • Research Briefing

    Non-Consensual Sexually Explicit Images and Videos (Offences) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 26 of 2024–25

    This bill aims to make it illegal to create or solicit sexually explicit or intimate images without the consent of the people in them. This would include deepfake content, where photos or video are digitally manipulated to make a person appear to be in an intimate situation. The government has said that banning the creation of non-consensual explicit deepfake content is a priority.

  • Research Briefing

    Conversion Therapy Prohibition (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 5 of 2023–24

    The Conversion Therapy Prohibition (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat). Conversion therapy is a range of practices which seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. If passed, this bill would criminalise offering or practicing conversion therapy, defined as practices where the practitioner demonstrates an assumption of a preferable outcome for a person’s orientation or identity.

  • In Focus

    King’s Speech 2023: Foreign affairs and defence

    This year’s King’s Speech will take place at a particular volatile time in global affairs. The crisis in Gaza, war in Ukraine, and the wider diplomatic challenges associated by the actions of nations such as China continue to occupy the international agenda. At the same time, the UK has reorientated its defence priorities to take account of the shifting global environment and the changing nature of global threats. This briefing examines a range of those issues before the King addresses Parliament on 7 November 2023.

  • In Focus

    Israel-Hamas conflict: Latest developments

    The current crisis in the Middle East began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas militants launched a series of surprise cross-border attacks on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing defence personnel and civilians and taking hostages. Since then, Israel has struck back with airstrikes on Gaza and has cut off supplies of food, energy and water to the enclave ahead of an anticipated ground invasion. This in turn has led to concern over civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Diplomatic efforts to prevent the crisis from worsening further are ongoing.