In Focus
The importance of skills is recognised across the main political parties in the UK. Evidence suggests that greater skill levels benefit the economy as a whole but also provide significant economic and social benefits for the individuals who possess them. The House of Lords is due to debate these issues on 9 May 2024.
In Focus
This briefing is the third of a series on the post-war history of the UK economy, focusing on the 1970s. Following a brief economic boom, inflation and unemployment reached post-war highs and the economy entered a prolonged recession, before slowly recovering towards the end of the decade. Despite this volatility, real household incomes grew significantly over the course of the decade.
Research Briefing
The National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) (No. 2) Bill would implement the national insurance contributions reductions announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the 2024 spring budget.
In Focus
The effects of the decline of heavy industries over previous decades continue to shape the economic conditions and challenges faced by many communities across the UK. The government is seeking to address longstanding regional inequalities through its levelling up policy agenda.
In Focus
Economic disparities persist between men and women globally, with women generally facing lower pay, higher levels of informal employment, and more unpaid care work than men. Internationally, the UK government has made commitments to promote gender equality and economic inclusion, but concerns have been raised about the level of aid funding. In the UK, the government has expanded childcare places for working parents and supported private members’ bills to make changes to employment law.
Research Briefing
The Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Woodley (Labour). It aims to tighten the rules around the use of fire and rehire practices by employers, including by providing affected workers with additional protections. The second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is due on 1 March 2024.
Research Briefing
The bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 6 February 2024. Its second reading and all remaining stages are due to take place on 21 February 2024.
In Focus
This briefing is the second of a series on the post-war history of the UK economy focusing on the 1960s. GDP growth remained high and fluctuating, as it was in the 1950s, but over the course of the decade household income growth slowed and the profitability of UK industry declined.
In Focus
There were approximately 11 million people in the UK in relative poverty (before housing costs) in 2021/22. Many people on low incomes receive cash benefits, such as universal credit, and other benefits such as free school meals. In its levelling up strategy the government set out measures to address poverty; these include increasing the number of high-paying jobs and improving access to good quality education and skills training.
In Focus
Almost half of workers worked from home during Covid lockdown restrictions in 2020. Three years on, 31 percent of workers worked from home during their working week, representing an ongoing change in working patterns. This briefing looks back 30 years to a debate in the House of Lords on the importance of flexible working, which saw speakers reflecting on the potential benefits of such emerging working practices in the economy.
In Focus
In December 2022, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee published the outcome of its inquiry on the size of the UK labour market. The committee said that economic inactivity had increased during the coronavirus pandemic and that early retirement among 50 to 64-year-olds was a key driver of the increase. The government responded to the committee report in May 2023. It highlighted a range of measures announced in the 2023 spring budget to improve workforce participation.
Research Briefing
The National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Bill would give effect to reduced national insurance rates announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the 2023 autumn statement.
In Focus
In December 2022, a House of Lords select committee published a report on the Children and Families Act 2014. It concluded the act was an example of “inadequate implementation” and had “largely missed” the opportunity to improve the lives of children and young people. In response, the government said the committee’s recommendations were at the heart of its plans to reform children’s social care. This article summarises the committee’s findings, as well as the government’s response.
In Focus
Ahead of a House of Lords debate on government support to skilled professional graduate workers who belong to a trade union, this briefing looks at the demographics of trade union membership. It also covers recent relations between the government and trade unions, especially over strikes, pay and the government’s Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill.
Research Briefing
The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour). The bill would give workers who have a lack of predictability regarding their working patterns, such as workers on zero hours contracts, a legal right to request a change in their terms and conditions. It was first introduced in the House of Commons and received cross-party support.
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