The Commercial Payments Bill [HL] seeks to tackle late payments to small businesses. It would impose minimum payment periods for invoices, prohibit the use of retentions in construction contracts and provide the small business commissioner with greater powers. The bill received an unopposed second reading in the House of Lords on 9 June 2026. 30 government amendments were made to the bill at committee stage.
![Commercial Payments Bill [HL]: Progress in the Lords](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/Business-VIGs-1232x924.jpg)
The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill is a government bill that would provide powers to nationalise a company involved in steel manufacturing where it is in the public interest. It completed its House of Commons stages on 9 June 2026 and is scheduled for second reading in the House of Lords on 16 June 2026. The government has explained the bill is being fast-tracked as it believes it is necessary to safeguard the future of the UK steel industry. It says this is important for the UK economy, national security and critical infrastructure.
Concerns have been raised about levels of welfare spending in the UK and increasing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. This briefing sets out statistics, government policy and commentary on welfare and youth employment. This includes the government’s youth guarantee, its ‘Get Britain working’ policies and the interim report by Alan Milburn on young people and work.
Research Briefing
The Commercial Payments Bill seeks to tackle late payments to small businesses, estimated to affect 44% of invoices. It would impose minimum payment periods for invoices, prohibit the use of retentions in construction contracts and provide the small business commissioner with greater powers. The bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 19 May 2026 and is due to receive its second reading on 9 June 2026.
In Focus
The House of Lords Committee on the Autism Act 2009 called for the government to urgently develop a new autism strategy, tackling “persistent inequalities” experienced by autistic people in education, health, work, criminal justice and the community. The government has since commissioned an independent review into mental health conditions, autism and ADHD, launched a call for evidence to inform a mental health strategy, and announced a special educational needs reform bill.
Research Briefing
The Social Housing Bill [HL] is a government bill intended to support growth in the social housing sector in England and improve the efficiency of the current right to buy system. It also includes provisions intended to protect the victims of domestic abuse.
In Focus
The House of Lords Home-based Working Committee published its report on home working in November 2025. The report examined how remote and hybrid working has affected workers, employers, and the UK’s wider economy and society. The committee said one of its key findings was that home working could help more people into work. The committee made a number of recommendations for the government, which the government responded to in February 2026.
Research Briefing
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
The National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill would give effect to the government’s policy, announced at the November 2025 budget, to abolish national insurance contributions (NICs) tax relief on employer salary sacrifice pensions contributions above £2,000 per year per employee. The bill would provide for future regulations to apply employee and employer NICs to salary sacrifice pensions contributions above this new threshold. The change would take effect from April 2029.
In Focus
In recent years, both the hospitality and retail sectors have experienced a number of challenges, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The government has announced various policies which have affected these sectors, most recently in the 2025 budget. This briefing provides an overview of both the retail and hospitality sectors, recent government policy that has impacted them and industry reaction to the government’s measures.
In Focus
Ahead of the 26 November 2025 autumn budget, there is growing speculation about potential tax increases. This briefing considers the Labour government’s approach to taxation and the economy so far, including its manifesto commitments and tax decisions set out in the 2024 budget. The briefing also includes statistics and commentary relating to UK jobs, growth and prosperity figures. It has been prepared for a House of Lords debate on 13 November 2025.
In Focus
The House of Lords Public Services Committee has explored the challenges faced by young disabled people as they move from the education system into work. The committee found that there were significant challenges for young disabled people in securing long-term employment. It called for the government to focus on early intervention and to provide employers with the right support and tools to create an inclusive workplace.
In Focus
On 12 April 2025, Parliament was recalled to fast-track the passage of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. The government has used the act to direct the operations of British Steel Ltd, which was in danger of collapse. British Steel operates the UK’s remaining blast furnaces at its site in Scunthorpe. This briefing summarises the challenges the UK steel industry has faced in recent years, how the act’s powers have been used in the case of British Steel, and wider government policy on steel.
Research Briefing
The Universal Credit Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 10 July 2025. It is due to receive its second reading and remaining stages on 22 July 2025. It is a government bill that was originally introduced in the House of Commons with the title Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. The speaker of the House of Commons has designated the bill as a money bill. Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) has tabled a non-fatal amendment to regret the motion to give the bill a second reading in the House of Lords.
In Focus
In recent years, resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) have faced increased competition for specialty training roles. Doctors can apply for specialty training after completing two years of foundation placements. While NHS England is in the process of reviewing postgraduate training for medics, the government’s new 10 year plan for the NHS has pledged to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors with significant NHS experience for specialty training. The plan also included an ambition to create more specialist posts.
Total results (page 1 of 16)