This Briefing Pack contains a selection of material relevant to the forthcoming second reading of the Psychoactive Substances Bill 2015-16 in the House of Lords.
Psychoactive Substances Bill [HL] 2015–16 (127KB PDF)
The Psychoactive Substances Bill 2015-16 seeks to ban the production, distribution, sale and supply of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)—defined as any substance intended for human consumption that is “capable of producing a psychoactive effect” (and which is not an exempted substance). The Bill is intended to focus on the supply of NPS, and thus would not provide for a personal possession offence (with no intent to supply). The Bill would provide for civil sanctions such as prohibition notices and prohibition orders (breach of the latter would be a criminal offence), and provide for powers for the seizure and destruction of NPS, and powers to search persons, premises and vehicles, as well as to enter premises by warrant if necessary. The Bill is intended to apply to the whole of the UK.
Psychoactive Substances Bill [HL] 2015–16 (127KB PDF)
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill is a government bill introduced in the House of Commons in the 2024–26 session. It was carried over to the current session and completed its Commons stages on 14 July 2026. It is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 1 September 2026.
The Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill is a private member’s bill introduced in the House of Lords. It would make it an offence for a person deployed as a covert human intelligence source (CHIS) to engage in an intimate sexual relationship with any person they have been deployed to target, who is a member of the group they have been deployed to target, or whom they encounter during their deployment.
The UK is required to contribute towards the prevention of atrocity crimes globally. Successive UK governments have used various mechanisms aimed at preventing mass atrocities. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised in recent years regarding the continued occurrence of large-scale violence worldwide. This has prompted some parliamentarians and external stakeholders to call on the government to do more to prevent such atrocities.
