All research

In Focus

What is the current situation for healthcare in Gaza? Infrastructure damage, risks to health, and UK government response

Monday, 13 January, 2025

Gaza’s healthcare system is in crisis. Most facilities are damaged beyond use, and those remaining open face shortages of water, fuel and medical supplies. Gaza’s 1.9 million displaced people are at risk of malnutrition, starvation and the spread of infectious diseases. The UK government has called for civilians and medics to be protected, for aid and relief agencies to have consistent access, and for an end to the conflict.
Research Briefing

Regulated and Other Activities (Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 9 of 2024–25

Monday, 13 January, 2025

The Regulated and Other Activities (Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench). It received its first reading on 29 July 2024 and is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 17 January 2025.
In Focus

House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill: Second reading in the House of Lords

Monday, 13 January, 2025

The government’s House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill would remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords and abolish its jurisdiction in hereditary peerage claims. The bill completed its Commons stages unamended and was introduced in the House of Lords in November 2024. The bill’s second reading in the Lords took place on 11 December 2024. This briefing provides an overview of that debate and lists the areas which future amendments could focus on.
Research Briefing

Universal Credit (Standard Allowance Entitlement of Care Leavers) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 30 of 2024-25

Monday, 13 January, 2025

The bill would amend the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 to increase the standard allowance entitlement of universal credit for individuals leaving care once they turn 18 to match the amount available to claimants aged 25 or over.
- Research Briefing
- Welfare & Pensions
Research Briefing

Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 32 of 2024–25

Monday, 13 January, 2025

The Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party). It would restrict the use of substances with antimicrobial properties, known as biocides, in cosmetic, personal care and other treated products, for example clothing and period products, subject to certain exemptions. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 17 January 2025.
In Focus

House of Lords Appointments Commission: Role and powers

Friday, 10 January, 2025

The House of Lords Appointments Commission (HOLAC) vets nominations to the House and recommends non-party political members. While its advice is usually followed, it is not a statutory body and the prime minister can choose to disregard its advice. This briefing provides an overview of the role and powers of the commission and summarises recent debates concerning its reform.
In Focus

Biodiversity loss and climate change: Interdependent global challenges

Thursday, 09 January, 2025

Nature and climate change are considered to be inextricably linked. Climate change is one of the drivers of biodiversity loss, along with factors including unsustainable food production and the overuse of natural resources. Nature is considered a key tool in combating rising global temperatures, for example forests and peatlands can play an important role in absorbing carbon emissions. This briefing summarises biodiversity loss, nature-based solutions to climate change and UK climate and nature policy.
Research Briefing

Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill: HL Bill 58 of 2024–25

Thursday, 09 January, 2025

The Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill is a two-clause government bill that would authorise the government to provide loans and other financial assistance to Ukraine resulting from the extraordinary revenue acceleration (ERA) loans agreement made at the meeting of the G7 and the EU in June 2024. It has been designated as a money bill and it completed its House of Commons stages on 18 December 2024 with broad cross-party support.
In Focus

Challenges to a rules-based international order

Thursday, 09 January, 2025

A rules-based international order is typically used to refer to the system of political, legal, and economic rules which have arguably governed international relations since the second world war. It has been a long-established concept in UK foreign affairs doctrine. However, in recent years, many commentators suggest that a growing strain has been placed upon this system and that a new commitment to global stability and security is required.
In Focus

Office attendance mandate for the civil service

Monday, 06 January, 2025

The Conservative government set an expectation that civil servants spend at least 60% of their working week at a government building or on official business. The Labour government has maintained this expectation due to the “clear benefits of face-to-face working”. Some civil servants have raised concerns about the 60% office attendance mandate, including civil servants in HM Land Registry who have recently voted in favour of strike action.
- In Focus
- Government
Research Briefing

Bus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 54 of 2024–25

Friday, 03 January, 2025

The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill is a government bill scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 8 January 2025. It is intended to make it easier for local transport authorities to franchise bus services in their area. It also includes measures on bus data, enforcement powers, accessibility of bus stops, safeguarding checks and training for bus drivers and zero-emissions buses.
Research Briefing

National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill: HL Bill 56 of 2024–25

Monday, 23 December, 2024

The National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill would implement the changes to employer national insurance contributions announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the 2024 autumn budget.
Research Briefing

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill: HL Bill 53 of 2024–25

Friday, 20 December, 2024

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill would introduce requirements on those responsible for certain publicly accessible premises and events to implement measures in the event of a terrorist attack. It would also require certain larger premises and events to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
In Focus

Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: Background and progress in 2024

Wednesday, 18 December, 2024

In 2024 the restoration and renewal programme announced it would be developing three options to preserve the Palace of Westminster. Details should be presented to Parliament in 2025. Members will then decide whether the programme should temporarily relocate both Houses of Parliament, keep the Commons Chamber onsite while temporarily relocating the Lords, or conduct a rolling programme of works “to deliver enhanced maintenance and improvement”. Surveying, design and remediation work was also progressed in 2024.
In Focus

What is the future of human life expectancy?

Tuesday, 17 December, 2024

Advances in science and medicine led to rising life expectancy in the UK throughout the 20th century, but increases have slowed. Are we nearing the ceiling of life expectancy or will a new wave of research change everything? This briefing explores the science and policy implications of life extension.

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