• Research Briefing

    Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 38 of 2024–25

    The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL] would abolish the IfATE and transfer its functions to the secretary of state. The government has said the bill is a necessary condition for delivering on its 2024 manifesto commitment to establish Skills England as a vehicle for driving growth and opportunity. Skills England is a new arms’ length body of the Department for Education, currently in shadow form.

  • Research Briefing

    Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL]: HL Bill 18 of 2024–25

    The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL] contains measures seeking to update the UK’s product safety, regulation and metrology framework. The government says the bill aims to ensure the UK is better placed to address modern day safety issues, respond to opportunities that deliver economic growth and to deliver a level playing field for businesses operating online or on the high street.

  • In Focus

    UK Covid-19 Inquiry report: Resilience and preparedness

    On 18 July 2024, the independent UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its first report, which focused on the UK’s pandemic resilience and preparedness. It contained 10 key recommendations. The chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has urged the UK government and the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to implement her recommendations promptly. On 3 September 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the inquiry’s report.

  • Research Briefing

    Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 3 of 2024-25

    The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill seeks to allow the UK government to treat the CPA and the ICRC in a manner comparable to international organisations of which the UK is a member. This status change would allow the government to confer certain privileges and immunities on the two organisations. A previous version of the bill was introduced in the 2023-24 parliamentary session.

  • In Focus

    Office for Students: Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report

    In 2023, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published a report which criticised the Office for Students’ (OfS) approach to regulation. It said the regulator had a poor relationship with both students and providers, and that it lacked independence from the government. While the government and the regulator acknowledged some reforms were needed, they argued that the OfS’ actions were not driven by political pressures.

  • Research Briefing

    Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill: HL Bill 68 of 2023–24

    The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill is a private member’s bill that originated in the House of Commons. It would allow the government to treat the two organisations in a similar way to international organisations of which the UK is a member. It has government and cross-party support. The bill is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 17 May 2024.

  • In Focus

    Foreign national offenders in UK prisons: Powers to deport

    Under UK legislation, the government has a duty to consider deportation of foreign nationals convicted of an offence in the UK and sentenced to at least 12 months’ imprisonment. It can remove foreign national offenders before the end of their prison sentence through various schemes and through prisoner transfer agreements. The deportation of foreign national offenders is a government priority. During 2023, 3,926 foreign national offenders were returned.

  • Research Briefing

    Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill: HL Bill 50 of 2023–24

    The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill would make long-term changes to the residential leasehold property system in England and Wales. The reforms are intended to improve homeownership for leaseholders by “empowering” them and “improving their consumer rights”. It is the second part of the government’s legislative package to deliver on its commitments on leasehold reform.

  • In Focus

    Digital exclusion in the UK: Communications and Digital Committee report

    In 2023, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee published a report on digital exclusion in which it called for the government to devise a new strategy and create a dedicated unit to address the issue. The committee argued the government’s approach lacked ambition. The government has said the issue is a priority and has established a dedicated ministerial group.

  • In Focus

    Quality of religious education in schools in England

    Religious education (RE) is a compulsory subject in English schools. However, Ofsted has said the subject is often an afterthought and that in many primary and secondary schools RE is of poor quality and is not fit for purpose. Organisations from the sector, such as the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education, have called for a national strategy for religious education.

  • Research Briefing

    Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 4 of 2023–24

    The Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill was announced as part of the King’s Speech in November 2023. It is a bill to enable the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. It will amend aspects of domestic legislation on technical trade barriers, government procurement and intellectual property to ensure the UK is compliant when the agreement comes into force.

  • In Focus

    King’s Speech 2023: Devolved affairs

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said “strengthening the Union and delivering for all people and communities across the UK” is a “priority” for the UK government. Mr Sunak said his government’s approach to devolution was to “drive forward cross-government efforts towards delivering tangible improvements”. This briefing discusses some of the key issues in devolved affairs that may be addressed in the forthcoming parliamentary session.

  • In Focus

    Sovereigns’ first state opening speeches

    For centuries it has been custom for the monarch to deliver a speech at the state opening of Parliament. It is formally known as the ‘speech from the throne’. King Charles III will deliver his first speech as sovereign on 7 November 2023. This briefing discusses how the custom developed and looks at some of the themes in previous first state opening speeches.

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