• 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.

  • Research Briefing

    Arbitration Bill [HL]: HL Bill 1 of 2024–25

    Arbitration is a form of dispute resolution that enables two or more parties to resolve a disagreement privately through a third party instead of going to court. The Arbitration Bill [HL] would amend the Arbitration Act 1996, the principal legislation governing arbitrations in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland. The changes provided for in the bill would implement recommendations from the Law Commission following consultation with the sector.

  • In Focus

    Questions to the foreign secretary: 21 May 2024

    Members of the House of Lords will ask Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton a series of oral questions on 21 May 2024. Topics include the government’s assessment of Israel's compliance with an International Court of Justice order regarding Gaza; the number of vessels transporting Russian oil; the UK’s priorities for cooperation with South Africa after forthcoming elections; and what the UK is doing to address conflict-induced food insecurity.

  • Research Briefing

    High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill: HL Bill 69 of 2023–24

    The High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Whitby (Conservative). It would require local authorities in England to designate at least one street or network of streets in their area as a high street. Authorities would then need to prepare and publish an improvement plan for each designated high street area. The bill has passed the House of Commons and has government support.

  • Research Briefing

    Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill: HL Bill 64 of 2023–24

    The Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative). It would provide for the extension of the maximum lease available to the Zoological Society of London for land in Regent’s Park used by London Zoo. The House of Commons has passed the bill and it has cross-party support. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 10 May 2024.

  • In Focus

    Child poverty: Statistics, causes and the UK’s policy response

    The government has estimated that 4.3 million children, or 30% of all children in the UK, were living in relative low-income households after housing costs in 2022/23. This represents an increase on the previous year. The government has said unexpectedly high inflation, driven by the war in Ukraine and supply chain challenges, contributed to the rise. It argues that falling inflation, rising real wages and uprated benefits will help low-income households in the year ahead.

  • In Focus

    Questions to the foreign secretary: 16 April 2024

    Members of the House of Lords will ask Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton a series of oral questions on 16 April 2024. Topics include the current state of freedom of religion or belief in India; what is being done to maintain support for Ukraine; when the UK will next hold a bilateral meeting with France on security issues; and whether the UK will mark the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe.

  • In Focus

    AI in Weapon Systems Committee report: Proceed with caution

    A House of Lords special inquiry committee has recommended that the government proceeds with caution on the development and use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems. This includes adopting an operational definition for autonomous weapon systems and ensuring human control at all stages of such systems’ lifecycle. The government has committed to ensuring meaningful human control and accountability throughout the lifecycle of AI-enabled military systems, but not to adopting an operational definition.

  • In Focus

    Questions to the foreign secretary: 12 March 2024

    Members of the House of Lords will ask Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton a series of oral questions on 12 March 2024. These include when he will next meet with the president of the European Commission; the role of private creditors in debt restructuring for low- and middle-income countries facing debt crises; the amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza; and how the government is supporting the BBC World Service.

  • In Focus

    UK position on foreign affairs

    In 2021 the government published an integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy. It published a refreshed review in March 2023 to take account of developments in foreign affairs over the preceding two years. The government has since published a number of policy papers and strategies to complement the refreshed review. In addition, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton was appointed as foreign secretary in November 2023.

  • Research Briefing

    Media Bill: HL Bill 44 of 2023–24

    The Media Bill would update the legislative framework governing broadcasting and radio services across the UK. It would represent the first major update to broadcasting legislation since Parliament passed the Communications Act 2003 more than 20 years ago. Since then technological changes have facilitated a shift to more and more viewers watching television programmes on demand using smart devices and listeners opting to access radio services using devices such as smart speakers.

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