• In Focus

    House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill: Second reading in the House of Lords

    The government’s House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill would remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords and abolish its jurisdiction in hereditary peerage claims. The bill completed its Commons stages unamended and was introduced in the House of Lords in November 2024. The bill’s second reading in the Lords took place on 11 December 2024. This briefing provides an overview of that debate and lists the areas which future amendments could focus on.

  • In Focus

    Government review of physician and anaesthesia associates

    The government recently announced an independent review of physician and anaesthesia associates to be led by Professor Gillian Leng. This announcement followed a debate about the use of the roles in the NHS and concerns raised by some stakeholders about patient safety. The review has been widely welcomed by stakeholders as a way to move the debate forward.

  • In Focus

    Budget 2024: Impact on the cultural sector

    On 30 October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first budget which included the details of the settlement for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It also contained more general measures which relate to the cultural sector. This briefing gives an overview of how the cultural sector is currently funded, what was said in the budget in this area and what the sector has said in reaction to the announcements.

  • Research Briefing

    Home School Education Registration and Support Bill [HL]: HL Bill 22 of 2024–25

    Currently, there is no mandatory system of registration for children who are not in school. The Home School Education Registration and Support Bill [HL] would require local authorities to maintain a register of children in its area who are of compulsory school age but are not in school. It would also require the parents of such children to provide certain information to their local authority in relation to the register.

  • In Focus

    Independent schools: Proposed VAT changes

    In its manifesto ahead of the 2024 general election, the Labour Party stated that if elected it would remove the current exemption from VAT and business rates for independent schools. The impact of this measure has been debated; some estimate a net benefit to the government of £1.3bn to £1.5bn, while others argue it could result in a net cost.

  • Research Briefing

    Education (Values of British Citizenship) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 12 of 2024–25

    Schools are currently required to actively promote British values. These values were taken from the 2011 Prevent strategy. The Education (Values of British Citizenship) Bill [HL] would require any statement relating to British values for education purposes, made by public authorities in England and Wales, to include certain values, some of which are different from those currently set out.

  • In Focus

    Impact of war and conflict on children

    This briefing provides a summary of a recent report by the international children’s rights charity Save the Children entitled ‘Stop the war on children: Let them live in peace’, as well as UK government policy in this area. It has been prepared ahead of Baroness Anelay of St Johns’ (Conservative) upcoming debate on 12 September 2024 on the government’s assessment of the impact of international conflict on children and the recommendations proposed in Save the Children’s report.

  • In Focus

    Protecting Atlantic salmon populations

    In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining populations of Atlantic salmon, with work taking place to address this issue. This briefing provides a summary of this policy area. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean’s (Conservative) 12 September 2024 debate on what steps the government is taking to protect Atlantic salmon populations.

  • In Focus

    Trade and commercial opportunities with Africa

    This briefing provides an overview of recent government policy on increasing trade and business opportunities with the African continent. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Popat’s (Conservative) debate scheduled on 12 September 2024 on what steps the government is taking to raise awareness among United Kingdom businesses of commercial opportunities in African markets, and support United Kingdom exports to Africa.

  • In Focus

    Public libraries in England: Work towards a new national strategy

    This briefing provides a summary of work over recent years towards a national library strategy, including Baroness Sanderson of Welton’s independent review of public libraries. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay’s (Conservative) debate scheduled for 12 September 2024 on whether the Labour government plans to publish a new strategy for public libraries.

  • Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Home Affairs (May 2024)

    In recent years, there has been a fall in levels of trust and confidence in policing. This followed a series of high-profile scandals, some of which involved serious offences committed by serving police officers. This briefing explores the role of media coverage in changing public perceptions of policing and also reports on calls by various parties to improve the current levels of confidence.

  • In Focus

    Customs and traditions of the House of Lords: Self-regulation

    The origins of the House of Lords are traceable through the developments of the parliamentary system in England, with the term itself first used during the reign of Henry VIII. Although the House’s purpose, powers and composition have changed considerably over time, a constant has been the importance placed by the Lords on its customs and traditions. Many of these customs and traditions are unwritten and exist due to historical precedent, while some are written articles. However, all are important to the daily functioning of the House, and many have developed into their current form through a long process of ritual and tradition.

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