In Focus
This article considers the Government’s post-Brexit regulatory reform agenda. The Government has established a Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform, which is the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 17 March 2021.
Research Briefing
The budget set out the Government’s plans for taxation and spending over the next five years. It also included the Office for Budget Responsibility’s assessment of the economy and forecasts for growth, the public sector finances, unemployment and inflation. It illustrated the effect of coronavirus on the economy and described how the Government aims to deal with the recovery from the pandemic.
In Focus
Women have been specifically affected by the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Reasons for this include that they are over-represented in some of the worst-hit sectors, and that they do a greater share of unpaid care. The Government has said it wants women’s economic empowerment to be a focus in the post-pandemic recovery period. But it has faced criticism for not taking enough account of gender equality in its approach.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on economics articles you may have missed. This month we take an in-depth look at the economics of Scottish independence.
In Focus
The UK’s new trading relationship with the European Union and the coronavirus pandemic have affected international haulage. On 4 March 2021, Lord Taylor of Holbeach is due to ask the Government what steps they are taking to support hauliers transporting goods internationally.
In Focus
On 2 March 2021, the House of Lords is due to take note of the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement. The agreement would set out the UK and Kenya’s future trading relationship. This article considers the details of the agreement, as well as scrutiny it has received from the House of Lords International Agreements Committee.
In Focus
As part of measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus, many retail outlets were closed for long periods during 2020. In conjunction with changes in consumer behaviour resulting from reduced socialising and travel, this had a big impact on the global fashion industry. There are concerns about job losses in clothing stores and in the supply chain as a result of these changes. But ahead of London fashion week this month, people are also asking if this is an opportunity for the fashion industry to make permanent changes to how it operates, for the good of both people and the planet.
In Focus
Mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis are diseases primarily affecting industrial and construction workers. Sufferers are eligible for government compensation schemes if they cannot claim civil damages against their employers. Two sets of regulations would increase the amounts payable by 0.5 percent from 1 April 2021, in line with inflation and the uprating being applied to other disability benefits.
In Focus
The Town and Country Planning (Border Facilities and Infrastructure) (EU Exit) (England) Special Development Order 2020 (SI 2020/928) has sped up the planning process for land to be used as inland border facilities in specified areas of England. The Government stated this is necessary due to the increased border control measures needed now the UK has left the EU. On 11 February 2021, the House of Lords will debate a motion ‘regretting’ the legislation.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on the world of economics with a selection of articles you may have missed. This month we take a look at whether the state should take equity shares in private companies needing support through the pandemic.
In Focus
The draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2021 would set the national insurance contributions rates, limits and thresholds for the upcoming 2021/22 tax year. They must be approved by both Houses of Parliament before becoming law. The House of Lords is due to debate the regulations on 8 February 2021.
Research Briefing
The aim of the National Security and Investment Bill is to reform how inward investment in the UK is investigated to ensure hostile governments or other entities do not use this to undermine the UK’s national security. The second reading of the bill is scheduled to take place in the House of Lords on 4 February 2021. This briefing provides a summary of the bill and its passage through the House of Commons.
In Focus
The Pacific Alliance is a regional integration initiative between Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. In June 2019, the House of Lords International Relations Committee published a report calling for increased UK engagement with the bloc. The report is due to be debated in the House of Lords on 1 February 2021.
In Focus
The House of Lords will soon debate a report by the former Intergenerational Fairness and Provision Committee. Now dissolved, this special inquiry committee published a report on tackling intergenerational unfairness in April 2019. It alleged that the “action and inaction” of successive governments had risked undermining fairness between generations and called for improvements in six areas to tackle this: accounting for policies and data; housing; education; work; communities; and tax and benefits.
Research Briefing
This bill proposes changes to the financial services regulatory regime.
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