• In Focus

    Children looked after by local authorities in England

    Under the Children Act 1989, a child is looked after by a local authority if they are provided with accommodation, for a continuous period of more than 24 hours, are subject to a care order or are subject to a placement order. There were 83,840 looked-after children in England in March 2023. This was an increase from 78,140 in 2019. The Local Government Association has said councils face challenges around the availability of suitable residential and fostering placements. The government is currently implementing its 2023 children’s social care strategy to reform care in England.

  • 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.

  • In Focus

    Sexual and reproductive healthcare

    Most sexual and reproductive healthcare services in England are commissioned by local authorities and funded through a public health grant from central government. Some organisations have expressed concern that funding has been cut in real terms over the past 10 years and this has placed pressure on existing services in the context of increased demand. The government has said that it is looking at how to continue to improve the sexual health of the population, and workforce planning, development and training for public health areas such as sexual and reproductive health should benefit from improved joint working between integrated care boards and local authorities through integrated care partnerships.

  • In Focus

    Local government finances: Impact on communities

    Local authorities receive revenue finance primarily from government grants and business rates. This is used to fund various services, including social care, housing and waste management. In recent years, cost and demand pressures faced by local authorities have outstripped overall inflation. The government recently finalised the local government funding settlement, which sets out how much councils will receive from the government in 2024/25 and provides estimates of their spending power.

  • Research Briefing

    Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill: HL Bill 50 of 2023–24

    The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill would make long-term changes to the residential leasehold property system in England and Wales. The reforms are intended to improve homeownership for leaseholders by “empowering” them and “improving their consumer rights”. It is the second part of the government’s legislative package to deliver on its commitments on leasehold reform.

  • In Focus

    Housing needs of young people

    The number of young adults who own a home in the UK has fallen in recent decades. More families in England and Wales had adult children living with them in 2021 compared to 10 years earlier. Barriers to home ownership included increased property prices relative to incomes. Think tanks have considered whether alternative housing policies would help more young people get onto the property ladder. The government has also introduced various schemes aimed at supporting home ownership.

  • In Focus

    Higher education: Contribution to the economy and levelling up

    The economic output of the UK higher education sector is estimated to be at least £116bn and graduates often experience better employment outcomes than non-graduates. Improving skills features in the government’s levelling up strategy and ministers have said that higher education institutions play a vital part in supporting regional economies. However, some stakeholders have criticised the government’s plans to restrict access to certain higher education courses and for not putting enough emphasis on the benefits provided by the sector.

  • In Focus

    Anaesthesia associates and physician associates

    The government is planning to legislate to bring physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) under the regulation of the General Medical Council (GMC). Although there is support for regulating these roles, there are concerns that patients do not always understand that PAs and AAs are not doctors. A House of Lords committee has also highlighted that the legislation would allow the GMC to set and change rules without parliamentary oversight.

  • In Focus

    Long-term plan for housing

    The government’s long-term plan for housing includes a range of policies it says are aimed at regeneration, inner-city densification and housing delivery across England. In December 2023, the government announced the next stage of its long-term plan, including revisions to the ‘National planning policy framework’ (NPPF). This briefing summarises government housing policies within the long-term plan and NPPF revisions, as well as recent criticism of the government’s plan from parliamentarians.

  • In Focus

    Poverty in the UK: Government policy

    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

    Mental health, wellbeing and personal development in schools

    Schools are required to provide support for the mental health and wellbeing of pupils. Sex, relationships and citizenship education are also included in the national curriculum. This briefing considers the government’s policy on mental health in schools and the current requirements for personal, social, health and economic education. It also summarises recent scrutiny of exam pressure in schools and citizenship education by House of Lords committees.

  • In Focus

    RAAC in school buildings: Concerns, risks and government response

    In the summer of 2023, shortly before the start of the autumn term, three UK schools experienced sudden roof collapses. The collapses have been attributed to reinforced autoclave aerated concrete (RAAC), a lightweight material used in their construction. The Department for Education advised all education settings to close areas with RAAC. The government has subsequently announced some support measures for affected schools, but education unions are calling for more.

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