Constitution Archives

Research Briefing

Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill: HL Bill 96 of 2024–25

Friday, 09 May, 2025

The government has committed to reducing and reclaiming public money lost to fraud and error. The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill contains provisions to extend Cabinet Office and Public Sector Fraud Authority powers to tackle fraud and error outside the tax and benefits system, and also expands powers to tackle fraud within the benefits system. The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 May 2025.
In Focus

End of the second world war: 80th anniversary

Tuesday, 29 April, 2025

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and Victory over Japan Day, events which in 1945 brought an end to the second world war. On those days 80 years ago, celebrations erupted across Britain. However, world leaders and domestic politicians were aware of the numerous problems still to be tackled, such as reconstruction, demobilisation and the legacy of the development and use of the atomic bomb.
In Focus

Compensation for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism

Monday, 28 April, 2025

Between the 1970s and 1990s, the Gaddafi-led Libyan regime supplied the Provisional IRA with weapons, finance and military training. This included shipments of the explosive Semtex, which was used in several bombings where a number of people died and many more were injured. Campaigners have called on the UK government to use Libyan assets frozen in 2011 to compensate victims. However, successive governments, including the current Labour government, have declined to do so, arguing it would break international law.
In Focus

Reforming the House of Lords in the shadow of the Parliament Act

Wednesday, 23 April, 2025

In March 1925, the House of Lords debated a motion calling for legislation to be introduced to reform the House of Lords. Whilst composition was among the issues raised, debate focused on the loss of the House’s powers, which were curtailed by the Parliament Act 1911. The 1911 act had also called for the House to be reconstituted on a popular rather than hereditary basis. This briefing looks back at the discussion.
In Focus

Reforming the civil service

Wednesday, 23 April, 2025

The government has said it wants to reform the civil service by reducing its size and improving its performance. This briefing considers the measures the government has announced, and the reaction to them from unions and commentators.
- In Focus
- Government
In Focus

Peerages created following prime ministerial resignations

Monday, 14 April, 2025

UK prime ministers may draw up a resignation honours list on their departure from office, in which they may request that the reigning monarch grant honours to any number of people. Such honours may include peerages, knighthoods and damehoods, or other awards. However, not all have chosen to draw up such a list. This briefing lists those prime ministers who have requested that peerages be conferred on their departure from office.
In Focus

Constitution Committee report on the governance of the union

Thursday, 10 April, 2025

The House of Lords Constitution Committee has re-examined relations between the UK government and devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland following the introduction of new intergovernmental relations structures in January 2022 and its own earlier inquiry on the subject. In a report published in September 2024, the committee urged the government to add a new principle of positive engagement to the principles underpinning the new structures.
In Focus

Public inquiries: Enhancing public trust—report by the House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee

Wednesday, 09 April, 2025

In November 2024, the House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee published a report examining public inquiries established under the Inquiries Act 2005. While recognising their positive impact, the committee criticised elements of the public inquiry system, such as governments failing to implement agreed inquiry recommendations. To address this, the committee proposed several reforms, including the formation of a parliamentary committee to oversee inquiries and ensure government accountability for implementing recommendations.
In Focus

Local elections in England: House of Lords debate on certain elections being postponed to 2026

Wednesday, 19 March, 2025

The government postponed elections in nine local authority areas in England from May 2025 to May 2026 to help with planning for local government devolution and creating unitary authorities in two-tier local government areas. There has been opposition to postponing the elections from other political parties, some councils and some members of the public. The House of Lords is due to debate motions to annul the legislation that delays the elections.
Research Briefing

House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 36 of 2024-25

Tuesday, 11 March, 2025

The House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Norton of Louth (Conservative). The bill seeks to strengthen the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
Research Briefing

Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill: HL Bill 79 of 2024–25

Tuesday, 11 March, 2025

The Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill would remove the restriction on people of the Roman Catholic faith holding the office of His Majesty’s lord high commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Research Briefing

Education (Assemblies) Bill [HL]:HL Bill 35 of 2024-25

Friday, 14 February, 2025

The Education (Assemblies) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat). It would repeal the requirement for schools in England without a designated religious character to provide daily acts of collective religious worship. In its place, the bill would establish a new duty to provide non-religious assemblies which develop the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural education of pupils.
Research Briefing

Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 28 of 2024–25

Tuesday, 04 February, 2025

The Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Lucas (Conservative). The bill would establish new permitted development rights to make additions and alterations to domestic properties. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 7 February 2025.
Research Briefing

Crown Estate (Wales) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 29 of 2024–25

Monday, 03 February, 2025

This private member’s bill would transfer responsibility for the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh government.
- Research Briefing
- Devolution
In Focus

Lifelong learning: England’s adult education sector and the government’s plan for skills

Wednesday, 29 January, 2025

Lifelong learning can have social, professional and health benefits. However, funding and student numbers have decreased over the past decade. Government policies aim to align skills and learning opportunities with local and national economic priorities. Policies include devolving adult skills funding to mayoral authorities, introducing the lifelong learning entitlement, and establishing Skills England.

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