• In Focus

    Treaty scrutiny in Parliament: Lords International Agreements Committee report

    The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has published a report on treaty scrutiny in Westminster. The committee described the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010’s framework for treaty scrutiny as a “weak and insufficient mechanism for securing meaningful accountability to Parliament” and called for it to be reformed. The government said it saw some difficulties in the committee’s proposals, but it was also “keen to work with the committee to help to mitigate or resolve, so far as possible, the issues which the committee has raised”.

  • In Focus

    Media literacy: Lords Communications and Digital Committee report

    The committee’s report raised concerns about public risk from misinformation, disinformation and online harms. The committee recommended enhancing media literacy, including through national curriculum reforms, an industry levy to fund education, and better coordination of support for adults, especially parents. The government agreed on the importance of media literacy, citing measures under the Online Safety Act 2023, cross-government work, and forthcoming updated media literacy teaching following the curriculum review.

  • Research Briefing

    Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill: HL Bill 170 of 2024–26

    The bill is a short, technical bill with two substantive clauses. The bill would amend existing legislation to increase the statutory limits on financial assistance the government can provide to support UK industry and exports. It would do this by increasing the funding limit in the Industrial Development Act 1982 to £20bn and in the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991 to £160bn.

  • Research Briefing

    Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: HL Bill 171 of 2024–26

    The Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill is a government bill that would remove the current two-child limit in universal credit across the UK from 6 April 2026. The government announced its intention to remove the limit at the November 2025 budget. The House of Commons has passed the bill. The House of Lords is scheduled to consider the bill at second reading and all remaining stages on 12 March 2026.

  • In Focus

    International Women’s Day 2026

    The House of Lords will hold a debate marking International Women’s Day on 6 March 2026. This briefing looks at progress internationally towards meeting the UN’s sustainable development goal on gender equality. It also examines the impact on women and girls of reductions in UK and other developed-country international aid.

  • In Focus

    Offence of misleading the public: Public Office (Accountability) Bill

    The Public Office (Accountability) Bill would implement Labour’s manifesto commitment to introduce a ‘Hillsborough law’, including placing a new duty of candour and assistance on public authorities and officials at inquiries. Clause 11 would introduce a new offence of misleading the public. The bill’s report stage in the House of Commons has been postponed whilst the government consults families and stakeholders on how certain provisions would apply to intelligence services.

  • In Focus

    Resetting the UK-EU relationship: House of Lords European Affairs Committee report

    The House of Lords European Affairs Committee published a report on the UK-EU reset in November 2025, describing it as “unfinished business”. Ahead of a debate on the committee’s report, this briefing looks at progress on implementing commitments made at the UK-EU summit in May 2025, including negotiations on a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, emissions trading, participation in the EU electricity market and a youth experience scheme. It also summarises the committee’s findings and the government response.

  • In Focus

    Transnational repression in the UK: Joint Committee on Human Rights report

    In the UK, the term transnational repression is widely accepted to refer to instances of intimidation, violence and harassment by a state against people in another state. Evidence has suggested that various countries, including China, Russia and Iran, have conducted transnational repression on UK soil in recent years. In its report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights explored the issue, its impact on human rights and whether enough support and protections are available. This briefing provides an overview of the committee’s findings and the government’s response.

  • In Focus

    Financial Services Regulation Committee report on the secondary international competitiveness and growth objective

    The House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee held an inquiry into the progress made by financial services regulators in strengthening the international competitiveness of the UK economy. The committee’s report, published in June 2025, highlighted cultural and regulatory barriers undermining this objective. The government and regulators stated that the committee’s recommendations align closely with planned and ongoing reforms. On 11 March 2026 the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the Financial Services Regulation Committee report ‘Growing pains: Clarity and culture change required’, published on 13 June 2025.

  • In Focus

    UK-India trade deal

    This briefing provides details on the trade deal signed between the UK and India in July 2025. It includes information on parliamentary scrutiny of the deal, including the report by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee. The government expects the deal to boost UK trade with India and UK GDP. However, concerns have been raised over ongoing negotiations for a ‘double contributions convention’ with India and the potential impact of the deal on certain UK sectors.

  • In Focus

    UK flour milling sector

    The flour milling sector produces flour for a variety of foods, including bread, biscuits, cakes and other products. This briefing provides an overview of the contribution of the flour milling sector to the UK economy, including its contribution to employment.

  • In Focus

    Waste crime: Role of the Environment Agency

    In September 2025, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee held a short inquiry into waste crime. It argued the issue was critically under-prioritised and expressed concern that the Environment Agency had failed to pursue repeated reports of serious waste crime. The government has said that it is making reforms in this area and is investing in the Environment Agency.

  • In Focus

    Reforming the law on donations to political parties

    The Labour Party pledged to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties in its manifesto. The government subsequently published a “strategy for modern and secure elections” in July 2025. An independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics is currently examining the issue and is expected to report by the end of March 2026. The review’s recommendations are expected to inform a future elections bill.

  • In Focus

    ‘Better prisons, less crime’: Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee report

    In July 2025, the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee published its report ‘Better prisons, less crime’ following an inquiry into prison culture which focused on governance, leadership and staffing. The committee found that “prisons are currently operating in a state of crisis” and made recommendations aimed at addressing issues it had identified. The government accepted the majority of these recommendations and said that many were already a work in progress.

  • In Focus

    Countering extremism: UK strategy

    The government’s current approach to tackling extremism focuses on using the Prevent programme to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. There have been calls for the government to develop a separate counter-extremism strategy. Under both current and previous government there have been several reviews of the UK’s counter-extremism policies. The government has not committed to introducing a new strategy but has said it is considering advice on improving its approach.

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