This page lists all of our research across our publication types.
Research Briefing
The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill is a private member’s bill that would enable national authorities in each part of the UK to make regulations on the import of dogs, cats and ferrets with the aim of protecting their welfare.
Research Briefing
The Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill is a private member’s bill, supported by the government, that would amend the Space Industry Act 2018 to require all spaceflight operator licences to specify a limit on a licence holder's liability for damage or loss. This is intended to encourage investment in the UK space industry by ensuring that operators are not subject to unlimited liability.
In Focus
Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in men aged over 45 in England, with higher risks linked to ageing, Black ethnicity, and family history. However, there is currently no UK-wide screening programme. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests can detect early signs but have limitations. This briefing covers current testing guidelines, and calls for change, including targeted screening and awareness campaigns. It also outlines government policy and the TRANSFORM trial aiming to improve early detection.
Research Briefing
The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill is a private member’s bill which seeks to align the rules regarding applying online for absent voting (postal or proxy votes) in Scotland and Wales with rules in England. While voters can currently apply for absent votes in several elections online, this does not include local elections in Scotland and Wales and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Senedd. Absent votes can still be applied for but must be done via a paper form. The bill also includes provisions giving the Scottish and Welsh governments powers to include an identity verification requirement on absent voting applications. It would also align postal voting renewal cycles. The bill is sponsored by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) and is scheduled to have its second reading on 5 September 2025. The bill passed its Commons stages with only technical amendments and received cross-party support.
Research Briefing
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow adults in England and Wales with a prognosis of less than six months to live to be provided with assistance to end their lives, subject to eligibility criteria and conditions. It is a private member’s bill that was introduced in the House of Commons by Kim Leadbeater (Labour MP for Spen Valley). It completed its passage through the Commons in June 2025. Its second reading in the House of Lords is due to take place on 12 September 2025.
In Focus
Genocide is one of the gravest crimes of concern to the international community. This briefing examines the elements of the crime of genocide, how it is determined and what the UK government’s position is on making genocide determinations.
In Focus
This briefing presents facts and figures on the size of the UK armed forces.
In Focus
Following Labour’s manifesto commitment to lower the voting age to 16, this briefing considers the potential impact on turnout, electoral outcomes and democratic engagement.
In Focus
US scientists have used a breakthrough therapy to edit an infant’s DNA and correct a life-threatening mutation. Preliminary results suggest the approach may have been successful, potentially paving the way for addressing a range of genetic diseases. This briefing investigates this cutting-edge technology and considers the key challenges of regulatory approval and high costs.
In Focus
The strategic defence review, published in June 2025, described a new era of threat and challenge to the UK. Set against a backdrop of difficult economic conditions, the government has set the ambition of spending 3 percent of GDP on defence in the next parliament. This briefing looks back 40 years to a Lords debate on 1985’s defence estimates, a debate in which members raised points that echo some of today’s political choices.
Research Briefing
The bill aims to strengthen the law on livestock worrying in England and Wales. Dogs chasing and attacking livestock can cause death, distress and pregnancy loss in animals, as well as financial and emotional impacts for farmers. The bill would increase penalties, expand the definition of livestock and the locations where incidents take place, and give police more powers of evidence collection and dog detention.
Research Briefing
The Universal Credit Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 10 July 2025. It is due to receive its second reading and remaining stages on 22 July 2025. It is a government bill that was originally introduced in the House of Commons with the title Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. The speaker of the House of Commons has designated the bill as a money bill. Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) has tabled a non-fatal amendment to regret the motion to give the bill a second reading in the House of Lords.
In Focus
The House of Lords is due to debate whether to approve three statutory instruments on 22 July 2025. These relate to the restrictions on foreign state investment in UK news sources, such as newspapers. One of these instruments would allow foreign states to own holdings of up to 15% in a UK news source owner. The reasoning behind this move has been questioned by a House of Lords committee, and Liberal Democrat peer Lord Fox has tabled a motion calling on the House to reject it.
In Focus
India and Pakistan engaged in the fiercest fighting for many years in May 2025 following a terrorist attack in the Indian-controlled part of the contested region of Kashmir. The conflict has led to fears over the future stability of the region. The UK has offered diplomatic support but reiterated it is for India and Pakistan to find a long-term solution to the question of Kashmir and related issues such as future cooperation.
In Focus
Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 contain communications offences which criminalise the sending of indecent or grossly offensive messages. In April 2025, the Times reported that arrests made under these sections had increased since the pandemic, while convictions under them had decreased over the past decade. Responding to the data, commentators have argued that the findings highlight issues around the offences and their impact on free speech.
Total results (page 12 of 185)