Home affairs by topic

Home affairs includes the following topic areas. Please click the links to access lists of publications by topic:

Communities

  • Funding for listed places of worship: Recent changes

    In January 2026, the government announced a new scheme to support urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship. Called the ‘Places of worship renewal fund for England’, it replaced the ‘Listed places of worship grant scheme’ which had run since 2001. This briefing provides an overview of both schemes, the government’s reasoning for the change and the reaction of stakeholders.

    image of church and church yard

  • Acute, primary and community healthcare

    There have been big differences in expenditure across different forms of healthcare for a number of years. In 2024/25, spending on acute care was £74.7bn, compared to £14.5bn on primary care and £13.8bn on community services. Both the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and the subsequent 10 year health plan for England contained an emphasis on shifting towards more care being delivered in local communities rather than in acute settings, dubbed a ‘neighbourhood health service’.

    The image shows cog wheels fitting with each other and containing symbols of health care eg first aid bag

  • Recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission

    Concerns about abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives have increased in recent years. The Jo Cox Civility Commission made a number of recommendations in a 2024 report to address this because of concerns that this activity would dissuade people from standing in elections and encourage existing representatives to stand down. The government has instigated a number of policies to tackle the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.

    Blackand white image of a hand placing a ballot in a voting box
View all briefings on communities

Crime

  • Protecting populations from atrocity crimes

    The UK is required to contribute towards the prevention of atrocity crimes globally. Successive UK governments have used various mechanisms aimed at preventing mass atrocities. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised in recent years regarding the continued occurrence of large-scale violence worldwide. This has prompted some parliamentarians and external stakeholders to call on the government to do more to prevent such atrocities.

    Image shows several lit candles in a dark room.

  • Local councillors: Impact of increasing abuse and intimidation

    The level of abuse and intimidation aimed at those seeking or holding elected office in local government has been increasing. The Local Government Association has found that almost three-quarters of local councillors in England report feeling personally at risk when fulfilling their role. The government has called such abuse and intimidation unacceptable and is pursuing a range of measures in response, including via the Representation of the People Bill.

    Image shows a polling station sign outside a polling station
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Culture, media and sport

  • Sporting Events Bill [HL]: HL Bill 3 of 2026–27

    The second reading of the Sporting Events Bill [HL] is due to take place in the House of Lords on 3 June 2026. The bill would establish a common legislative framework that could be applied to major sporting events in the UK. It would cover ticket touting, advertising and trading, unauthorised association and transport.

    Image shows a stadium

  • Funding for the arts

    Since 2010, various sources have reported that funding for the arts has decreased creating challenges for organisations and individuals in the sector. This briefing examines how the arts are currently funded, what challenges the sector faces and what recent action the government has taken in this area. It also provides an overview of a recent independent review of the Arts Council England.

    Image showing entrance to the National Gallery in London
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Family and civil law

View all briefings on family and civil law

Immigration

View all briefings on immigration

Justice

View all briefings on justice

Security

  • Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill: HL Bill 32 of 2026–27

    The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill is a government bill intended to strengthen the cyber security of organisations in the UK that provide essential services, such as healthcare, drinking water and energy. It would amend the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018 to include additional sectors and update incident reporting duties. It would also confer powers on the secretary of state to amend the legislation and issue directions to organisations when necessary for national security. The bill is scheduled for its second reading in the House of Lords on 14 July 2026.

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  • National Security (State Threats) Bill: HL Bill 35 of 2026–27

    The National Security (State Threats) Bill would create new powers for the home secretary to designate bodies engaged in state threat activity, equivalent to the proscription of terrorist organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000. The bill would create three new offences associated with designation of supporting, assisting, or receiving material benefit from a designated body. These offences would carry sentences of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

    Image of a silhouette/shadow of a person

  • Threats to UK democracy: Disinformation, foreign interference and declining public trust

    Social media and other technologies have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for foreign powers to spread false information online aimed at undermining UK democracy. Such disinformation campaigns are one type of interference operation. In parallel, researchers have noted a link between declining public trust and societal polarisation, which can be exacerbated by online discourse. This briefing provides introductory reading to these issues, including recent reports and government announcements.

    Image shows the Houses of Parliament
View all briefings on security
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