This Briefing Pack contains a selection of material relevant for the forthcoming debate on what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to promote International Widows' Day and to help widows following the finding of The Global Widows Report 2015 that their numbers are increasing due to conflict.
International Widows’ Day (261KB PDF)
International Widows’ Day (261KB PDF)
The Cohabitation Rights Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames (Liberal Democrat). The bill would provide certain protections for cohabiting couples, for example in the event one of them dies. Its second reading is scheduled for 17 July 2026.
![Cohabitation Rights Bill [HL]: HL Bill 14 of 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Family-and-civil-law-568x426.png)
The Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat). The bill would establish a duty for local planning authorities in England to ensure adequate burial ground space is provided in their local area. It would also require them to set out plans for how they intend to address any shortfall in burial ground capacity.
![Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 8 of session 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Communities-1-568x426.png)
In January 2026, the government announced a new scheme to support urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship. Called the ‘Places of worship renewal fund for England’, it replaced the ‘Listed places of worship grant scheme’ which had run since 2001. This briefing provides an overview of both schemes, the government’s reasoning for the change and the reaction of stakeholders.
