• In Focus

    UK Covid-19 Inquiry report: Resilience and preparedness

    On 18 July 2024, the independent UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its first report, which focused on the UK’s pandemic resilience and preparedness. It contained 10 key recommendations. The chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has urged the UK government and the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to implement her recommendations promptly. On 3 September 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the inquiry’s report.

  • Research Briefing

    Support for Infants and Parents etc (Information) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 6 of 2024–25

    This proposed law would make it a legal requirement for English local authorities to publish information about support services such as maternity and mental health services available in their area for infants, parents or carers of infants, or prospective parents or carers. This would be known as the ‘start for life offer’.

  • In Focus

    Smoke-free legislation: The UK and New Zealand

    During the 2023–24 session, the UK government introduced legislation to raise the age each year at which someone can legally buy tobacco products. This was similar to measures introduced in New Zealand which were recently reversed. This briefing looks at developments in New Zealand and how they have informed the debate on the UK government’s proposals.

  • In Focus

    Eating less sugar: Reformulating food and drink products and government policy

    Too much sugar in diets can contribute to health issues. Reformulating products, or changing how much sugar is in what people normally eat and drink, means the public do not have to change their habits to eat more healthily. Recent governments have introduced measures to decrease the public’s consumption of sugar, as well as salt and fat. However, some organisations have encouraged the government to go further by creating more mandatory schemes and levies for industry.

  • In Focus

    Challenges faced by people with disabilities

    People with disabilities can face additional barriers when trying to access services. The World Health Organisation has stated disability comes from these barriers rather the related impairment. Barriers can include online services that are not accessible, infrastructure that can be physically inaccessible and attitudinal barriers. The government has introduced policies to help address these barriers but disability charities have argued these have not been sufficient.

  • In Focus

    Contribution of sport to society and the economy

    This briefing considers the benefits of sport and physical activity ahead of a House of Lords debate on the subject on 16 May 2024. The government and sports sector stakeholders agree that sport has many benefits for individuals and communities, as well as for the economy more broadly. The government published a new strategy for the sports sector in August 2023. The ambition of the strategy was commended; however, sports charities and the opposition suggested that more was required from the government to deliver on it.

  • In Focus

    House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report: Impact of noise and light pollution on human health

    In July 2023 the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee published a report into the impact of noise and light pollution on human health. It found that while there is some evidence that both noise and light pollution are harmful to humans, there are significant gaps in research and understanding. This briefing looks at the definitions of noise and light pollution, current legislation and guidelines, and the committee’s report and subsequent government response.

  • In Focus

    Integration of Primary and Community Care Committee report: ‘Patients at the centre: Integrating primary and community care’

    Integrating primary and community care services has been identified as necessary in order to address increased demand and the rise in the number of people with complex health issues. In 2023, the House of Lords Integration of Primary and Community Care Committee considered how successfully these services were being integrated. This briefing summarises the committee’s conclusions and recommendations and the government’s response.

  • In Focus

    The impact of gambling marketing

    The gambling industry has expanded over recent years and increased attention is being paid to the issue of gambling-related harms and the role that the marketing of gambling services plays in exacerbating them. The House of Lords is due to debate these issues on 25 April 2024.

  • In Focus

    House of Lords Public Services Committee report: Homecare medicines services

    An estimated half a million NHS patients are receiving hospital-prescribed medication and equipment at home through private sector homecare medicines services. Responding to reports of patient harm and distress caused by delays, errors and mis-deliveries, the Public Services Committee investigated. The committee called for an independent review, as well as improvements to regulation, data and accountability. The government has said that NHS England is conducting a desktop review.

  • In Focus

    Long-term sustainability of the NHS: Options for systems and funding

    In response to recent pressures in the NHS, there has been debate about the sustainability of the NHS and its funding model. In preparation for a House of Lords debate on this topic, this briefing examines the UK’s taxation-based health care model and alternative models (such as social health insurance and private health insurance) used in other countries.

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