This page lists all of our research across our publication types.
In Focus
This briefing is the third of a series on the post-war history of the UK economy, focusing on the 1970s. Following a brief economic boom, inflation and unemployment reached post-war highs and the economy entered a prolonged recession, before slowly recovering towards the end of the decade. Despite this volatility, real household incomes grew significantly over the course of the decade.
In Focus
The mace is a staff of office symbolising the authority of the sovereign in Parliament. A mace is carried to the Lords and the Commons chambers in a procession at the beginning and end of each sitting day. In the Lords, it rests on the woolsack behind the lord speaker during proceedings. As is the case in the Commons, the Lords may not conduct business in the chamber whilst it is not present. But where did this custom and tradition come from and are maces found in other parliaments?
In Focus
The UK and India have a complex and multifaceted history. In recent years, their relationship has focused on political and economic cooperation. Both countries have agreed to a framework setting out future relations and are currently negotiating a free trade agreement. With India’s next general election scheduled to take place between April and June 2024, this briefing analyses the potential trajectory of UK-India relations.
In Focus
In 1928, Parliament passed legislation that set the date of Easter on “the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April”. This was subject to an order in council that specified that, before any commencement order, “regard” be given to “any opinion officially expressed by any church or other Christian body”. The act has never been commenced. It remains on the statute book. This briefing delves into the Hansard archives to find that 25 years ago the House debated the merits of bringing that act into force.
Data dashboard
What have been the largest ever votes in the House of Lords? This briefing provides a list of divisions since 1999 where 500 or more members have voted.
In Focus
The government has committed to increase house building and improve the UK’s infrastructure while also protecting and improving the natural environment. The balance between these two objectives has been considered by the House of Lords Built Environment Committee in a report on the impact of environmental regulations on development. This article summarises the committee’s conclusions and the government’s response ahead of a House of Lords debate on the report.
In Focus
In a report published in November 2023 the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee highlighted the importance of the horticultural sector to the UK. The report detailed impacts of the sector on the economy, food supply, wellbeing and net zero ambitions. However, it said the industry faced a number of challenges and was not being given the attention or support it deserved. The committee’s report listed 93 recommendations for the government to help the sector meet these challenges and realise its potential.
In Focus
Under the Children Act 1989, a child is looked after by a local authority if they are provided with accommodation, for a continuous period of more than 24 hours, are subject to a care order or are subject to a placement order. There were 83,840 looked-after children in England in March 2023. This was an increase from 78,140 in 2019. The Local Government Association has said councils face challenges around the availability of suitable residential and fostering placements. The government is currently implementing its 2023 children’s social care strategy to reform care in England.
Research Briefing
This proposed law would clarify that litigation funding agreements (LFAs) do not constitute damages-based agreements (DBAs). The effect of this would be to give statutory confirmation that LFAs do not need to comply with the statutory and regulatory regime for DBAs to be enforceable. This would address recent concerns that many LFAs were unenforceable as a result of the UK Supreme Court’s ruling in R (PACCAR Inc) v Competition Appeal Tribunal [2023] UKSC 28.
In Focus
In response to recent pressures in the NHS, there has been debate about the sustainability of the NHS and its funding model. In preparation for a House of Lords debate on this topic, this briefing examines the UK’s taxation-based health care model and alternative models (such as social health insurance and private health insurance) used in other countries.
In Focus
Power and sport have long been linked. From hosting competitions and investing internationally to building new leagues at home, human rights organisations say that some states are using sports to ‘launder’ their international reputations while human rights abuses continue. Governing bodies cite political neutrality or argue that engaging with nations can lead to improvements in human rights.
In Focus
The charitable organisation Open Doors has estimated that more than 365 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination worldwide because of their faith. In 2019, the government asked the Bishop of Truro to map levels of persecution and other discrimination against Christians around the world and present recommendations to the foreign secretary. An independent assessment of the government’s implementation of the review was published in July 2022.
Research Briefing
The Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill proposed by Lord Holmes of Richmond (Conservative), which would introduce a new body, the AI Authority, which would have various functions designed to help address AI regulation in the UK. It would also put regulatory principles for artificial intelligence into law.
Research Briefing
The Genocide (Prevention and Response) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill, sponsored by Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Labour), which would make provision about how the government monitors and reports on activities to prevent and respond to genocide and other atrocity crimes.
Research Briefing
The Foetal Sentience Committee Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Moylan (Conservative). The bill would require the secretary of state to establish a Foetal Sentience Committee.
Total results (page 33 of 185)