• Research Briefing

    Public Authority Algorithmic and Automated Decision-Making Systems Bill [HL]: HL Bill 27 of 2024–25

    The Public Authority Algorithmic and Automated Decision-Making Systems Bill [HL] aims to regulate the usage of algorithmic and automated decision-making systems across the public sector, making the use of such systems more transparent and fair, and mitigating against the risks arising from such technologies such as bias and discrimination. It is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat). It is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 December 2024.

  • In Focus

    Government review of physician and anaesthesia associates

    The government recently announced an independent review of physician and anaesthesia associates to be led by Professor Gillian Leng. This announcement followed a debate about the use of the roles in the NHS and concerns raised by some stakeholders about patient safety. The review has been widely welcomed by stakeholders as a way to move the debate forward.

  • In Focus

    Politicisation of the civil service

    The idea of civil service impartiality, defined as the ability to serve the government of the day without fear or favour, is one of the core values promoted by the civil service code. Several recent events have led to debate on whether the civil service has become more politicised and the extent to which that is desirable. This briefing examines that history, and the arguments for and against a more politicised civil service, ahead of a forthcoming debate in the House of Lords.

  • In Focus

    Grenfell Tower Inquiry: House of Lords debate

    The Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its final report in September 2024. It found the fire was the “culmination of decades of failure by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry”. It also concluded there had been “systematic dishonesty” from the manufacturers of certain cladding panels and insulation about their products. This briefing covers the inquiry’s recommendations and responses from different stakeholders ahead of a debate in the House of Lords.

  • Research Briefing

    Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL]: HL Bill 20 of 2024–25

    The Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL] is a short private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative). The bill would require the secretary of state to have regard to the UK’s national action plan on women, peace and security (NAP) when formulating and implementing policy on foreign affairs, defence or related matters. The bill includes provisions requiring the government to report to Parliament annually on the progress made in implementing the NAP. It also requires considerations the government must have regard to when participating in multi-national organisations such as the United Nations. The bill was introduced on 4 September 2024 and is scheduled to have its second reading on 15 November 2024. The bill would extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It would come into force on the day the legislation was passed.

  • In Focus

    Special education schools and colleges in England: Policy and challenges in the special educational needs sector

    Over 150,000 young people attend special educational needs schools or colleges in England. The special education sector is facing capacity and funding challenges, while demand for support increases. The Labour government has said it will improve inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, with specialist schools supporting pupils with the most complex needs. The government has added that it intends to take a considered approach, but the sector is calling for urgent action.

  • In Focus

    Northern Ireland retail movement scheme and ‘rest of the world’ goods

    The government has recently changed the entry requirements for certain non-EU goods being imported into Great Britain to enable them to move onwards under the Northern Ireland retail movement scheme. The House of Lords is due to consider a motion to annul the regulations that made these changes. This comes in the context of wider debates about the impact of the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland.

  • In Focus

    Public service productivity

    Public services productivity in the UK fell sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic and is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. The Conservative government pledged new investment in an attempt to boost the effectiveness of public services prior to the general election. The new Labour government has also placed emphasis on this issue and has indicated further measures will be set out in the forthcoming budget statement.

  • In Focus

    From the Hansard archives: Redeveloping the foreign office

    A recent paper about UK foreign policy called for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to “modernise the working environment to set a future oriented culture”. It described the FCDO’s physical surroundings as “somewhat elitist and rooted in the past”. This briefing looks back at Lords Hansard to chart the House’s response to more radical plans in the 1960s that proposed a new foreign office building, which later formed part of a wider scheme for the redevelopment of Whitehall.

  • In Focus

    Infected blood scandal: Background, impacts, inquiry outcomes and compensation

    Between 1970 and the early 1990s, over 30,000 NHS patients were given blood transfusions, or treatments made using blood products, which were contaminated with hepatitis C or HIV. Over 3,000 people have since died, and thousands more live with health conditions. The infected blood inquiry called for immediate compensation, public memorials, and for lessons to be learned in medicine, government and the civil service. In August 2024 the government set out plans for compensation.

  • In Focus

    Peerages awarded to former UK prime ministers

    Former prime minister Theresa May joined the House of Lords in August 2024 after standing down as an MP ahead of the 2024 general election. This followed David Cameron being appointed in November 2023 to serve as foreign secretary. This page lists former UK prime ministers who have held office since 1902, together with information on whether the individuals later received a peerage entitling them to sit in the House of Lords.

  • In Focus

    Private members’ bills with government support lost at dissolution 2024: How close was Parliament to changing the law on licensing hours, puppy smuggling, virtual court hearings and more?

    Individual members of either House can propose legislation through private members’ bills (PMBs). But with limited time available, they rarely become law without government, and usually cross-party, support. This briefing looks at the 14 PMBs that the then government supported that fell at the end of the 2023–24 session. Government backing was identified by whether a government department had provided explanatory notes.

  • Research Briefing

    Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 10 of 2024–25

    The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill [HL] is a government bill comprising a single substantive clause. It would extend the period in which vacancies among the lords spiritual are filled by bishops who are women by five years. The lords spiritual are the maximum of 26 Church of England archbishops and bishops in the House of Lords. The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 is currently due to expire in May 2025. The bill has been introduced at the request of the Church of England. This briefing provides a summary of the background to the bill, including the appointments procedure for the lords spiritual. It summarises the bill’s provisions and provides statistics on women bishops in the House of Lords.

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