The Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL] is a government bill that would give regulators new powers to regulate the way private water companies operate in England and Wales. This includes the introduction of new penalties for water companies and the power to block executive bonuses. The bill would also make changes to the special administration regime for water companies to ensure the government and regulators were notified ahead of any winding up petitions.
Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL] (410KB PDF)
Approximate read time: 25 minutes
The Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL] is a government bill introduced in the House of Lords on 4 September 2024. It is scheduled to have its second reading on 9 October 2024. The bill would make changes to the regulation of private water companies that provide water and sewerage services in England and Wales. The Labour government has said the bill would achieve its manifesto commitment to enable regulators to block the payment of bonuses to the executives of water companies that fail to protect the environment by allowing the UK’s waterways to be polluted by sewage. It has also said the bill would ensure those responsible for repeatedly breaking the law face criminal charges.
The bill includes provisions to:
Alongside the bill, the government published explanatory notes, a delegated powers memorandum and a policy statement on the bill. It has not published an impact assessment.
Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL] (410KB PDF)
The Nature’s Rights Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party). The bill would recognise nature as a legal subject, granting it specific rights for protection and restoration. The bill would set out a legal framework for how this would operate, including an integrated rights framework and mechanisms for how nature’s rights would be implemented and enforced.
![Nature’s Rights Bill [HL]: HL Bill 7 of 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Environment-568x426.png)
The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill is a government bill that would provide powers to nationalise a company involved in steel manufacturing where it is in the public interest. It completed its House of Commons stages on 9 June 2026 and is scheduled for second reading in the House of Lords on 16 June 2026. The government has explained the bill is being fast-tracked as it believes it is necessary to safeguard the future of the UK steel industry. It says this is important for the UK economy, national security and critical infrastructure.
Concerns have been raised about levels of welfare spending in the UK and increasing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. This briefing sets out statistics, government policy and commentary on welfare and youth employment. This includes the government’s youth guarantee, its ‘Get Britain working’ policies and the interim report by Alan Milburn on young people and work.
