Research Briefing
Firearms Bill: HL Bill 129 of 2022–23
This private member’s bill would seek to make changes to the law on miniature/small calibre rifle ranges and the control of ammunition.
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In Focus
Licensing Act 2003: Liaison committee post-legislative scrutiny
In July 2022, the House of Lords Liaison Committee published a follow-up report on the work of the Select Committee on the Licensing Act 2003. The original committee examined the operation of the 2003 act, which made significant changes to the legal regime governing the sale of alcohol. In its follow-up, the Liaison committee said that many flaws in the licensing regime found by the select committee remained and that more needed to be done to ensure it operated effectively.
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In Focus
Transport investment: Bus and rail
The government has committed to significant reform of the rail and bus sectors. As part of that reform, it has provided funding to help these services recover from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and for capital expenditure. However, a recent government statement announced that some of these commitments, particularly around HS2, would be delayed in the light of current inflationary and cost pressures.
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In Focus
Prison officers’ retirement age
Newly recruited prison officers can draw their full occupational pension between the ages of 65 and 68, depending on their date of birth. The prison officers’ union argues such officers do a demanding physical job and regularly face violence, so requiring them to work until their late 60s is inappropriate and harmful. Ministers say they are open to discussions with the union but there are no plans to adjust prison officers’ retirement age.
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In Focus
UK-EU relationship in financial services
In 2022, the House of Lords European Affairs Committee examined the relationship between the UK and EU in financial services. In its report, the committee said the UK’s financial services sector remained strong and that some challenges presented by Brexit had proven to be less significant than predicted. However, it warned the government against complacency, saying that ministers must ensure their future approach delivered for the sector and the wider UK economy.
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Research Briefing
Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill: HL Bill 97 of 2022-23
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is a government bill that would allow ministers to make regulations setting out the minimum service required in certain areas of the public sector during strike action in England, Wales and Scotland.
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In Focus
International Holocaust Memorial Day 2023
Friday 27 January 2023 is International Holocaust Memorial Day, marking the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland on the same day in 1945. On this annual day of commemoration, the United Nations urges every member state to honour the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism, and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides.
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Research Briefing
National Security Bill: HL Bill 68 of 2022–23
The National Security Bill would update the UK’s national security architecture to deal with modern and evolving threats from hostile states, including espionage, sabotage and foreign electoral inference.
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Research Briefing
Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill: HL Bill 64 of 2022-23
The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill would create a new regulatory regime for plants, animals, food and food products developed through precision breeding technologies, removing them from the current regime for genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
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In Focus
War in Ukraine: Quick links
This page provides links to useful sources of information on the situation in Ukraine, including government statements, press resources and background briefings.
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Research Briefing
Genocide Determination Bill [HL]: HL Bill 23 of 2022–23
The Genocide Determination Bill [HL] 2022–23 is a private member’s bill proposed by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench).The bill is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 28 October 2022.
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In Focus
Impact of Ukrainian port blockade on food supply to developing countries
Russian forces continue to blockade Ukrainian ports, preventing the export of grain and other foodstuffs. Food supplies from Ukraine and Russia are vital to many developing countries including many in the Horn and East of Africa, which are at significant risk of famine because of the blockade and other global pressures. The UK has joined other international actors in calling for the blockade to end and safe exports routes established.
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Research Briefing
Climate and Ecology Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2022-23
The Climate and Ecology Bill is a private member’s bill proposed by Lord Redesdale, due for its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 July 2022. This briefing examines the legislation and recent government policy in this area, including commitments on climate and biodiversity.
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In Focus
A new mandate for the restoration and renewal programme
The restoration and renewal programme was created to deliver the substantial repairs and modernisation the Palace of Westminster requires. Legislation enacted in 2019 provided for an independent sponsor body and a delivery authority to manage and oversee the works. However, the Commissions of both Houses have jointly proposed the abolition of the sponsor body and the creation of a new joint department to carry out its functions as part of a new mandate for the programme.
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In Focus
Relationship between health and food production
There has been notable scrutiny of the link between health and food, including in 2020 by an ad hoc committee in the House of Lords. It found that the UK food system was failing to enable people to make healthy and affordable dietary choices. This briefing examines those findings and the challenges faced by both consumers and the UK agri-food sector, and the government’s policy response.
Total results (page 4 of 10)