The Duchy of Cornwall Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Berkeley (Labour). The Bill received its first reading in the House of Lords on 3 July 2017 and is scheduled to have its second reading on 26 October 2018.
Duchy of Cornwall Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (286KB PDF)
The Bill seeks to:
It would also provide for the:
This briefing sets out background to the creation of both the title and the Duchy, before examining these two issues, as addressed in the Bill, in more detail.
Duchy of Cornwall Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (286KB PDF)
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.
Social media and other technologies have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for foreign powers to spread false information online aimed at undermining UK democracy. Such disinformation campaigns are one type of interference operation. In parallel, researchers have noted a link between declining public trust and societal polarisation, which can be exacerbated by online discourse. This briefing provides introductory reading to these issues, including recent reports and government announcements.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term health condition that is estimated to affect over 400,000 people in the UK. It is a fluctuating condition with symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems and brain fog. In 2025 the government published its final delivery plan on ME, which aimed to improve care and support for those with the condition.
