Employment 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

NHS staff access to single-sex spaces

Monday, 28 April, 2025

The House of Lords is due to discuss NHS staff access to single-sex spaces on 1 May 2025. Following a recent Supreme Court judgment about the meaning of the term ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010, the Equality and Human Rights Commission issued an interim update on 25 April 2025 about the implications of this for workplaces and services provided to the public.
Research Briefing

Employment Rights Bill: Bill 81 of 2024-25

Thursday, 20 March, 2025

The government introduced the Employment Rights Bill in the House of Lords on 14 March 2025. The House is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 27 March 2025.
In Focus

International Women’s Day 2025: Women in science and technology

Wednesday, 26 February, 2025

On 6 March 2025, the House of Lords is scheduled to hold a debate marking International Women’s Day focused on the steps being taken to promote women’s participation and leadership in science and technology. The motion for the debate is sponsored by Baroness Gustafsson, the government minister for investment. This briefing provides an overview of data and research in this area, as well as information on government policy.
In Focus

Post Office Horizon IT scandal: Progress of compensation

Thursday, 20 February, 2025

The Post Office introduced the Horizon computer system into branches from 1999. The system, used for accounting and stock-taking, inaccurately recorded losses and money missing in branches. The Post Office has identified 700 convictions in cases it prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 in which Horizon evidence may have featured. Compensation schemes have been established by the Post Office and the Department for Business and Trade. However, progress in making payments has been criticised for being too slow.
- In Focus
- Business
- Employment
- Justice
In Focus

Creative industries: Growth, jobs and productivity

Thursday, 30 January, 2025

The government has identified the creative industries as one of eight “growth driving” sectors it will prioritise in its industrial strategy. The strategy is due to be published later this year, along with a creative industries sector plan. The creative industries have called on barriers to growth, such as skills gaps and access to funding, to be addressed in the sector plan.
Research Briefing

National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill: HL Bill 56 of 2024–25

Monday, 23 December, 2024

The National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill would implement the changes to employer national insurance contributions announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the 2024 autumn budget.
In Focus

Impact of tax policy on employment

Monday, 28 October, 2024

This briefing examines taxes on employment in the UK and internationally, exploring the potential relationship between taxation and employment. It has been prepared ahead of the upcoming House of Lords debate on the government’s assessment of the impact of tax policy on employment.
In Focus

Government climate policy: Economic impact

Thursday, 17 October, 2024

The government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050. This 2050 target was introduced by the Conservative government. The current government has announced several policies, including measures intended to increase UK renewable energy production. On 24 October 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the economic impact of these policies, including their impact on jobs and growth.
- In Focus
- Business
- Economy
- Employment
- Energy
- Environment
In Focus

Rural communities: Issues and support

Friday, 11 October, 2024

Rural areas and communities face a number of challenges compared to urban areas. These include transport difficulties, less choice over services, education and employment, and poor broadband or mobile phone coverage. Some surveys have suggested that many people, particularly younger people, are considering leaving rural communities as a result. This briefing summarises some of these challenges and the government policies seeking to address them.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Education

Friday, 12 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering education for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Economic affairs, business and trade

Thursday, 11 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering economic affairs, business and trade for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
In Focus

The UK economy in the 1980s

Wednesday, 29 May, 2024

This briefing is the fourth of a series on the post-war history of the UK economy. The series proceeds decade-by-decade from the 1950s onwards, providing an overview of the key macroeconomic developments of each decade. This briefing looks at the 1980s. The decline in the profitability of industry, which began in the 1960s, was reversed in this decade; however, the share of national income received by workers fell to a post-war low.
Research Briefing

Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Bill: HL Bill 70 of 2023–24

Friday, 10 May, 2024

This private member’s bill would expand eligibility for leave to fathers or partners who experience the death of a child’s mother, adoptive or surrogate parent.
In Focus

Child poverty: Statistics, causes and the UK’s policy response

Tuesday, 23 April, 2024

The government has estimated that 4.3 million children, or 30% of all children in the UK, were living in relative low-income households after housing costs in 2022/23. This represents an increase on the previous year. The government has said unexpectedly high inflation, driven by the war in Ukraine and supply chain challenges, contributed to the rise. It argues that falling inflation, rising real wages and uprated benefits will help low-income households in the year ahead.

Total results (page 2 of 14)