Nature’s Rights Bill [HL]: HL Bill 7 of 2026–27

The Nature’s Rights Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party). The bill would recognise nature as a legal subject, granting it specific rights for protection and restoration. The bill would set out a legal framework for how this would operate, including an integrated rights framework and mechanisms for how nature’s rights would be implemented and enforced.

Nature’s Rights Bill [HL]: HL Bill 7 of 2026–27

Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill: HL Bill 22 of 2026–27

The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill is a government bill that would provide powers to nationalise a company involved in steel manufacturing where it is in the public interest. It completed its House of Commons stages on 9 June 2026 and is scheduled for second reading in the House of Lords on 16 June 2026. The government has explained the bill is being fast-tracked as it believes it is necessary to safeguard the future of the UK steel industry. It says this is important for the UK economy, national security and critical infrastructure.

Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill: HL Bill 22 of 2026–27

Welfare reforms and youth unemployment

Concerns have been raised about levels of welfare spending in the UK and increasing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. This briefing sets out statistics, government policy and commentary on welfare and youth employment. This includes the government’s youth guarantee, its ‘Get Britain working’ policies and the interim report by Alan Milburn on young people and work.

Welfare reforms and youth unemployment
  • In Focus

    House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026: How was it amended as it went through Parliament?

    This briefing summarises changes made to the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 as it went through Parliament. The House of Lords made amendments about the exclusion of hereditary peers and the abolition of by-elections, unsalaried ministers, the rights of life peers to sit in the Lords, and resignation from the Lords on behalf of a peer who lacks capacity. Only amendments on the latter subject were accepted by the House of Commons. The House of Lords did not insist on its other amendments.

  • In Focus

    UK-India trade deal

    This briefing provides details on the trade deal signed between the UK and India in July 2025. It includes information on parliamentary scrutiny of the deal, including the report by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee. The government expects the deal to boost UK trade with India and UK GDP. However, concerns have been raised over ongoing negotiations for a ‘double contributions convention’ with India and the potential impact of the deal on certain UK sectors.

  • In Focus

    Environmental improvement plan 2025

    The government published a revised environmental improvement plan in December 2025, containing updated targets and government commitments for improving the environment. These plans and targets are required under the Environment Act 2021. The government hopes the new plan will improve clarity on the actions to be taken to improve the environment. However, some have argued it does not go far enough to recognise the urgency of the situation.

  • In Focus

    Managing nitrogen use and pollution: Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report

    The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has argued that policies governing nitrogen use and pollution in the UK need to be strengthened. It has called for better regulation, a ‘circular approach’ to nitrogen management (based on more efficient use and recycling) and a more coordinated strategy on nitrogen pollution. This briefing highlights some key points from the committee’s report and the government’s response to it.

  • In Focus

    UK demographics: Common Good Foundation report on population changes

    On 11 December 2025 the House of Lords is due to debate a report on demographic change in the UK. The report was written by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts (Conservative) for the Common Good Foundation, a registered charity directed by Lord Glasman (Labour). This Library briefing contains summary information on the report, alongside statistics and further reading on the issue.

  • In Focus

    Economic and taxation policy: Impact on growth, jobs and prosperity

    Ahead of the 26 November 2025 autumn budget, there is growing speculation about potential tax increases. This briefing considers the Labour government’s approach to taxation and the economy so far, including its manifesto commitments and tax decisions set out in the 2024 budget. The briefing also includes statistics and commentary relating to UK jobs, growth and prosperity figures. It has been prepared for a House of Lords debate on 13 November 2025.

  • In Focus

    Proposals for an updated national policy statement for ports

    The government published a draft new national policy statement for ports in June 2025. This seeks to update the planning policy for ports development, which was previously set out in a 2012 national policy statement. The proposed new policy statement has been welcomed by those in the ports sector. As part of its parliamentary scrutiny, it is due to be debated in the House of Lords on 14 October 2025.

  • In Focus

    Interpreting and language services in the courts: Public Services Committee report

    The House of Lords Public Services Committee’s March 2025 report highlighted perceived issues affecting court interpreting services, including the remuneration and support for interpreters, court technological limitations, and the quality and transparency of data on the provision of interpreting services. The committee made a number of recommendations to address these issues. The government responded to the report in May 2025, setting out how it would seek to address some of these points.

Total results (page 1 of 12)