• In Focus

    Higher education: Contribution to the economy and levelling up

    The economic output of the UK higher education sector is estimated to be at least £116bn and graduates often experience better employment outcomes than non-graduates. Improving skills features in the government’s levelling up strategy and ministers have said that higher education institutions play a vital part in supporting regional economies. However, some stakeholders have criticised the government’s plans to restrict access to certain higher education courses and for not putting enough emphasis on the benefits provided by the sector.

  • In Focus

    Anaesthesia associates and physician associates

    The government is planning to legislate to bring physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) under the regulation of the General Medical Council (GMC). Although there is support for regulating these roles, there are concerns that patients do not always understand that PAs and AAs are not doctors. A House of Lords committee has also highlighted that the legislation would allow the GMC to set and change rules without parliamentary oversight.

  • Research Briefing

    Alternative Investment Fund Designation Bill [HL]: HL Bill 10 of 2023–24

    The Alternative Investment Fund Designation Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Altmann (Conservative). The bill seeks to exempt listed investment companies from a series of regulatory requirements to disclose certain costs and charges to their clients, on the basis that such costs are already accounted for in those companies’ share price. The Financial Conduct Authority has introduced temporary measures to mitigate this issue and the government has committed to implementing a long-term legislative solution.

  • Research Briefing

    Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 8 of 2023–24

    The Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Woodley (Labour). It aims to tighten the rules around the use of fire and rehire practices by employers, including by providing affected workers with additional protections. The second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is due on 1 March 2024.

  • In Focus

    ‘Undergrounding’ electrical transmission cables

    There are 4,500 miles of overhead electricity transmission lines in England and Wales. This contrasts with just over 900 miles of underground cables. ‘Undergrounding’, the replacement of overhead cables with underground cables, is used in limited circumstances, such as in nationally designated landscapes. There have been calls for an increase in undergrounding. However, the government has pointed to several issues, including the higher cost of underground cables.

  • In Focus

    River pollution and the regulation of private water companies

    Only 14% of rivers in England have a good ecological status and none have a good chemical status. Agriculture, wastewater and diffuse urban pollution are the main sources of pollution affecting water bodies in England. In recent years, the failure of water companies to prevent sewage discharges has attracted attention, and questions have been asked about whether the government and bodies such as Ofwat and the Environment Agency are doing enough to regulate water companies and enforce environmental law.

  • In Focus

    AUKUS security partnership

    AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Australia agreed in 2021. It consists of two key pillars and has been designed to allow the three nations to cooperate closely on key defence capabilities, including submarine technology and cutting-edge advanced capabilities such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.

  • In Focus

    Water and sewage companies: Executive remuneration

    Following concern over several issues including pollution and poor customer service, the remuneration of senior executives in the water industry has come under scrutiny. Ofwat, the economic regulator of the sector, has announced tighter measures on water company executive bonuses when they have not been sufficiently earned. Ofwat is also to consult on measures to ban water company executives from receiving bonuses if a company has committed serious criminal breaches.

  • In Focus

    Windrush scandal and compensation scheme

    The Windrush generation refers to individuals who migrated to the UK from Commonwealth countries between 1948 and 1973. Despite legal entitlement to stay, many faced job losses, denial of services and removal. In 2018, the then government acknowledged their mistreatment and introduced measures including the creation of a compensation scheme for those affected. However, several reviews have raised concerns about the accessibility and effectiveness of the scheme to date.

  • In Focus

    Supporting Myanmar’s health system

    A military coup in Myanmar in February 2021 has led to widespread conflict and has had a severe impact on its health care system. Many health care workers have been involved in civil disobedience and protests against the coup, including boycotts. Organisations such as the WHO and Insecurity Insight have also reported on attacks on health care in the country. Since February 2021, the UK government has provided over £120mn in humanitarian and development assistance in Myanmar.

  • In Focus

    The UK economy in the 1960s

    This briefing is the second of a series on the post-war history of the UK economy focusing on the 1960s. GDP growth remained high and fluctuating, as it was in the 1950s, but over the course of the decade household income growth slowed and the profitability of UK industry declined.

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