This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, to be marked on 6 February 2019.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: 6 February 2019 (174KB PDF)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, observed annually on 6 February, aims to promote international awareness of, and encourage actions against, the practice.
This briefing provides a short introduction to FGM, before providing an overview of the prevalence of the practice globally and international initiatives aimed at stopping FGM within communities. The briefing then provides information on the incidence of FGM in the UK; sets out the legislative context for measures designed to deter FGM; and references recent parliamentary and government activity in relation to the issue.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: 6 February 2019 (174KB PDF)
The UK is a signatory to the convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine. The commission would assess claims for compensation for damage and losses caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has broadly welcomed the convention, but also raised concerns about the scope and efficacy of the commission.
There have been big differences in expenditure across different forms of healthcare for a number of years. In 2024/25, spending on acute care was £74.7bn, compared to £14.5bn on primary care and £13.8bn on community services. Both the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and the subsequent 10 year health plan for England contained an emphasis on shifting towards more care being delivered in local communities rather than in acute settings, dubbed a ‘neighbourhood health service’.
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.
