• In Focus

    Wildfires: Reducing the risks and mitigating the effects

    Wildfires can harm people and ecosystems and damage property and the environment. Almost all wildfires in the UK are the result of accidental or deliberate acts by humans. Their frequency and severity have been increasing in recent years, with the area burned so far in 2025 already setting records. The National Fire Chiefs Council has called for more resourcing, consistency and coordination to mitigate the effects of future wildfires.

  • In Focus

    Dyscalculia: Identifying and supporting students with special educational needs

    Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty that affects the understanding of number-based information. Schools in England are responsible for identifying any special educational needs (SEN) arising from such learning difficulties, and initial teacher training from September 2025 will contain more content related to supporting children with SEN. However, campaigners highlight there remains no specific requirement for teachers to learn about dyscalculia and argue awareness of the learning difficulty remains low.

  • In Focus

    Antisemitism on university campuses

    The Community Security Trust, a UK charity that works to protect Jews from antisemitism and other threats, has reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents on UK university campuses following the start of the current conflict in the Middle East. This briefing provides background information on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and its adoption by UK universities, before concluding with a summary of recent government policy to tackle antisemitism in the higher education sector.

  • In Focus

    Peerages created following prime ministerial resignations

    UK prime ministers may draw up a resignation honours list on their departure from office, in which they may request that the reigning monarch grant honours to any number of people. Such honours may include peerages, knighthoods and damehoods, or other awards. However, not all have chosen to draw up such a list. This briefing lists those prime ministers who have requested that peerages be conferred on their departure from office.

  • In Focus

    Science and Technology Committee report on seizing the opportunity of engineering biology

    Engineering biology involves designing and building new biological systems, molecules, or organisms. It has potential applications ranging from medicines and manufacturing to making new materials or more resilient crops. The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has urged the government to seize the opportunities presented by this technology and warned that without urgent action the UK risks losing the potential benefits of remaining a world-leader in the field.

  • In Focus

    Constitution Committee report on the governance of the union

    The House of Lords Constitution Committee has re-examined relations between the UK government and devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland following the introduction of new intergovernmental relations structures in January 2022 and its own earlier inquiry on the subject. In a report published in September 2024, the committee urged the government to add a new principle of positive engagement to the principles underpinning the new structures.

  • Research Briefing

    Finance Bill: Bill 77 of 2024-25

    The government introduced the Finance Bill in the House of Lords on 4 March 2025. The House is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading and all remaining stages on 19 March 2025.

  • In Focus

    Tax implications of corporate profit shifting

    Multinational corporations may use artificial intragroup transfers and other strategies to lower their exposure to corporation tax. Following high profile examples of aggressive tax avoidance, OECD countries including the UK agreed a number of measures to reduce so-called ‘profit shifting’ and increase tax revenues globally. This included a global minimum tax for large corporations. US President Donald Trump has since signalled the US no longer agrees with the latest OECD tax agreement.

  • Research Briefing

    Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 32 of 2024–25

    The Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party). It would restrict the use of substances with antimicrobial properties, known as biocides, in cosmetic, personal care and other treated products, for example clothing and period products, subject to certain exemptions. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 17 January 2025.

  • In Focus

    Humanitarian assistance for Ukraine: December 2024

    The humanitarian crisis affecting Ukraine and its people has continued amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory, including on civilian centres and infrastructure, as temperatures drop towards zero and below. The UK government has pledged over £100mn in additional humanitarian support for 2024/25, as well as additional sums to support energy infrastructure resilience and stabilisation efforts. This comprises part of £5bn pledged in non-military support to date.

  • In Focus

    House of Lords reform: Government policy and recent developments

    Labour’s manifesto committed the party to several House of Lords reforms ahead of a longer-term ambition to replace the House with an alternative second chamber. The Labour government has since introduced a bill to remove hereditary peers from the House’s membership as a first step in its reform programme. Further measures, for example around introducing a mandatory retirement age and a participation requirement, are expected to follow later in the parliament.

  • In Focus

    Peerages awarded to former UK prime ministers

    Former prime minister Theresa May joined the House of Lords in August 2024 after standing down as an MP ahead of the 2024 general election. This followed David Cameron being appointed in November 2023 to serve as foreign secretary. This page lists former UK prime ministers who have held office since 1902, together with information on whether the individuals later received a peerage entitling them to sit in the House of Lords.

  • Research Briefing

    Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL]: HL Bill 8 of 2024–25

    Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of rechargeable battery and are used in a wide range of electrical devices worldwide. The Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] would provide for regulations concerning the safe storage, use and disposal of such batteries in the UK. The bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Redesdale (Liberal Democrat). The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 6 September 2024.

  • In Focus

    Modern methods of construction in the housing industry

    Modern methods of construction (MMC) refers to a range of building methods that are designed to be more efficient and effective than traditional construction techniques. The House of Lords Built Environment Committee was critical of the Conservative government’s approach to MMC and called for a coherent strategy to promote MMC use in housebuilding. The new Labour government has said it will publish a new long-term housing strategy in the coming months.

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