• In Focus

    ‘A plan to fix our broken food system’: House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee report

    In October 2024, a report from the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee concluded that poor-quality diets were contributing to an obesity crisis in England. It said that successive governments had failed to tackle the issue, and more regulation was now needed. This briefing summarises the committee’s recommendations, the government’s response in January 2025, and reaction to both reports.

  • In Focus

    Covid-19 pandemic: Support for the bereaved

    On 9 March, the Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025 took place to mark five years since the start of the pandemic in the UK. This briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate in the House of Lords focused on the support available to those bereaved because of Covid-19. It outlines the help available for families and sets out background information on the Covid-19 Day of Reflection, as well as the UK Covid-19 inquiry.

  • In Focus

    What is the current situation for healthcare in Gaza? Infrastructure damage, risks to health, and UK government response

    Gaza’s healthcare system is in crisis. Most facilities are damaged beyond use, and those remaining open face shortages of water, fuel and medical supplies. Gaza’s 1.9 million displaced people are at risk of malnutrition, starvation and the spread of infectious diseases. The UK government has called for civilians and medics to be protected, for aid and relief agencies to have consistent access, and for an end to the conflict.

  • In Focus

    Allergies and the NHS: Allergy prevalence, treatment options and potential improvements to NHS allergy care

    An estimated third of the UK population live with allergies. Campaigners have called for improvements to NHS care, including more specialists, better training in primary care, and easier access to medication for those affected. The government has said that work is ongoing on a national strategy for allergies, and it will be considering whether to appoint a national allergy lead.

  • In Focus

    Government review of physician and anaesthesia associates

    The government recently announced an independent review of physician and anaesthesia associates to be led by Professor Gillian Leng. This announcement followed a debate about the use of the roles in the NHS and concerns raised by some stakeholders about patient safety. The review has been widely welcomed by stakeholders as a way to move the debate forward.

  • In Focus

    Fracture liaison services: Towards 100% coverage in England

    Fracture liaison services proactively identify people at risk of fractures caused by osteoporosis. Patients can then be assessed and treated to prevent future fractures. The provision of fracture liaison services in England has been called a ‘postcode lottery’ by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, and evidence shows variation in quality and reach. The government has committed to 100% coverage by 2030.   

  • Research Briefing

    Mental Health Bill [HL]: HL Bill 47 of 2024–25

    The Mental Health Bill [HL] is a government bill that would amend the Mental Health Act 1983. The 1983 act is the current legislation that regulates the compulsory detention and treatment of those with a mental disorder in England and Wales. There have long been calls to update the legislation, and in 2017 there was an independent review of the Mental Health Act. In 2022 the previous Conservative government published a draft Mental Health Bill. The current bill is similar (but not identical) to the draft bill and it would implement many of the recommendations of the 2017 independent review. Changes proposed in the bill include tightening the detention criteria in the 1983 act and providing for more frequents reviews; limiting the period that people with autism or a learning disability can be detained; and removing prisons and police stations as “places of safety” in the act. This briefing provides a summary of the background to the bill, the bill’s provisions, and the differences from the 2022 draft bill.

  • In Focus

    Weight management: Diet and medication

    The NHS sometimes prescribes weight management drugs to people with severe obesity and conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Many health professionals have argued that the drugs could positively impact people, alongside diet and exercise regimes. However, there are concerns that demand for the drugs could stretch existing NHS services and have led to people using them without a medical reason.

  • In Focus

    Rural communities: Issues and support

    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.

  • In Focus

    Social care in England: Current situation, case for a strategy and further support for unpaid carers

    While handling record demand, the social care sector in England is facing workforce, resource and funding pressures. There are also millions of people providing unpaid care. The new Labour government has announced an intention to create a ‘National Care Service’, and to improve NHS and social care integration as part of a 10-year plan for reform.

  • In Focus

    Infected blood scandal: Background, impacts, inquiry outcomes and compensation

    Between 1970 and the early 1990s, over 30,000 NHS patients were given blood transfusions, or treatments made using blood products, which were contaminated with hepatitis C or HIV. Over 3,000 people have since died, and thousands more live with health conditions. The infected blood inquiry called for immediate compensation, public memorials, and for lessons to be learned in medicine, government and the civil service. In August 2024 the government set out plans for compensation.

  • In Focus

    Vaginal mesh implants: Financial compensation

    Vaginal mesh implants are used to repair damaged internal tissue. However, many women receiving these implants have experienced severe complications. In 2020, an independent review recommended establishing a compensation scheme for the women affected. The Conservative government rejected this recommendation, saying its focus would be on improving product safety. However, calls for redress have continued, with a subsequent review in 2024 also recommending the establishment of a compensation scheme.

  • In Focus

    Government plans to address children vaping

    This briefing discusses what vaping is and how many children are estimated to use e-cigarettes. It summarises how the advertising of e-cigarettes is currently regulated. It also sets out the previous government’s plans to address issues around children vaping alongside the new government’s plans to introduce legislation similar to that which fell at the end of the previous parliament.

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