This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared in advance of a debate on 19 January about the challenges to the liberal international order posed by the development of populism and nationalism around the world.
This House of Lords Library briefing examines the background to a proposal that information should be published alongside every Act showing the length of time spent on it at each stage in the parliamentary process to highlight the level of scrutiny it had received.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on the Neighbourhood Planning Bill ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords, which is scheduled for 17 January 2016.
This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared in advance of a debate on 12 January about the future capability of the UK’s Armed Forces in the current international situation.
This Lords Library briefing explores machinery of government changes announced by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, on 18 July 2016, in the wake of the United Kingdom’s referendum vote in favour of leaving the European Union.
The Health Service Medical Supplies (Costs) Bill was introduced into the House of Lords on 7 December 2016 and is due to receive its second reading on 21 December 2016. The Bill seeks to amend and extend the provisions of the National Health Service Act 2006 which relate to the control of the cost of both health service medicines and other medical supplies.
The Digital Economy Bill is scheduled to receive its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 December 2016. The Bill aims to enable access to fast digital communication services for citizens and businesses; to enable investment in digital communications infrastructure; to shape the emerging digital world to the benefit of children, consumers and businesses; and to support the digital transformation of government, enabling the delivery of better public services, world leading research and better statistics. This House of Lords Library briefing gives an overview of the provisions of the Bill. It focuses measures concerning the introduction of a broadband universal service obligation; protection for children from online pornography; public sector data sharing; the BBC and public service broadcasters. It outlines the policy background in those areas, and a summary of some of the key amendments made to the Bill during committee and report stages in the House of Commons.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides information in support of the House of Lords consideration of the Property Boundaries (Resolution of Disputes) Bill [HL].
This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared ahead of the debate on the impact of the withdrawal from the European Union on the United Kingdom’s armed forces and diplomatic service, to be held in the House of Lords on 8 December. The briefing examines current defence capabilities and cooperation between the UK and the EU. It then explores the possible future prospects for UK defence, particularly the role of the armed forces. The latter part of this briefing examines the UK’s diplomatic service, highlighting some of the issues that have arisen about the UK’s diplomatic relationship with the EU and its global role following the UK’s withdrawal. For reasons of brevity, this briefing does not examine the implications of the UK’s withdrawal on wider external relations, such as the UK’s future trade relationships with other countries in and outside the EU, or the impact on overseas development policy. Further reading on these subjects is identified in section 3.
This House of Lords Library briefing was written ahead of the Higher Education and Research Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords on 6 December 2016.
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, on 2 December 2016, marks the date of the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. The Convention was approved by resolution of the General Assembly on 2 December 1949. The focus of the day is on “eradicating contemporary forms of slavery”, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the “worst” forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. This House of Lords briefing provides background information on modern slavery internationally, and outlines legislation which has been introduced in the UK to address this issue