Research Briefing
The Health and Social Care Levy (Repeal) Bill would repeal the Health and Social Care Levy Act 2021 while maintaining a legislative basis for keeping tax receipts collected under provisions in that act until early November 2022. The House of Commons considered the bill at second reading and all remaining stages on 11 October 2022. The House of Lords is scheduled to similarly consider the bill on 17 October 2022.
In Focus
In recent years, concerns have been raised about the horticultural sector’s workforce, including its dependence on foreign seasonal workers and the existence of a skills gap. The sector’s role in protecting the environment has also been discussed. This article considers both these issues and the government’s response.
Research Briefing
This proposed law seeks to tighten the rules around the use of ‘fire and rehire’ practices by employers, including by providing affected workers with additional protections.
Current Affairs Digest
This Current Affairs Digest looks at articles on the Russian economy and currency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the impact of the 'eat out to help out' scheme on Covid-19, and women in top jobs in the UK.
In Focus
Private equity takeovers play a significant role in the UK economy. Some have argued that businesses that have been bought by private equity funds have suffered, and that there have been negative impacts on employment and pension schemes. The tax treatment of some elements of private equity has also been criticised. This article provides an overview of private equity, its regulation, and evidence of its impacts.
Research Briefing
The Seafarers’ Wages Bill [HL] is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 20 July 2022. The bill seeks to ensure that seafarers working on ships that regularly use UK ports are paid a rate at least equivalent to the UK national minimum wage for work they do while in UK waters, where they are not already entitled to the national minimum wage.
Research Briefing
The Heritage Railways and Tramways (Voluntary Work) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Labour). The bill seeks to remove statutory restrictions on young people volunteering to work on heritage railways or tramways.
Research Briefing
On 27 June 2022, the second reading and all remaining stages of the Social Security (Additional Payments) Bill are scheduled to take place in the House of Lords. The bill gives effect to the cost of living support measures for benefits claimants announced as part of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s statement to the House of Commons on 26 May 2022.
Research Briefing
The Local Authority (Housing Allocation) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Mann (non-affiliated). The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 8 July 2022. The bill would require local planning authorities to establish targets for the allocation of land for new housing in England in consultation with their local communities. The timescales for meeting these targets would be set by the secretary of state.
Research Briefing
On 8 July 2022, the second reading of the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL] is scheduled to take place in the House of Lords. The bill is a private member’s bill introduced by the Bishop of Durham. The bill would disapply provisions of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, as amended by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, which implemented the two-child limit to universal credit.
Research Briefing
The Front-loaded Child Benefit Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Farmer (Conservative). It aims to allow recipients of child benefit to receive, if they wish, a higher rate of child benefit when a child is younger in exchange for a lower rate when the child is older. This would be an alternative to the current system whereby a flat rate is paid throughout childhood. Two thinktanks put forward similar proposals prior to 2010. The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 8 July 2022.
In Focus
UK airports and ferry ports have faced widespread disruption in recent months, including mass cancellations of flights and long delays. Airline operators, unions and the government have spoken of various causes for this travel disruption. This article looks at recent examples of disruption and what has been said about the potential reasons behind it.
In Focus
Neurology organisations have reported a “neurology workforce crisis” in recent years. The UK has fewer neurology consultants when compared to other high-income countries, recent data has shown. This has led to concerns about the impact on people with neurological conditions receiving timely access to health and care services. This briefing considers the latest neurology workforce and waiting times data, in addition to recent action taken to improve neurological care.
In Focus
On 25 May 2022, the grand committee of the House of Lords is due to debate the House of Lords Liaison Committee’s report ‘Tackling financial exclusion: A country that works for everyone? Follow-up report’. This report examines the progress made by the government and key stakeholders in implementing the recommendations made in the original 2017 select committee report on financial exclusion. It found that “four years on, financial exclusion is still highly prevalent in the UK”.
In Focus
In November 2020, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee published the ‘Catapults: Bridging the gap between research and industry’ report. This considered the role technology and innovation catapults have played in encouraging investment and collaborations in UK innovation. The committee made several recommendations, including making certain changes to the catapult funding framework. The House of Lords is scheduled to consider the report and recent developments on 19 May 2022.
Total results (page 5 of 14)