In Focus
Malaria remains a deadly disease for many countries. A complex parasite causes the illness, which means it has proved difficult to vaccinate against. Currently, only one vaccine candidate has received regulatory approval, and no candidate has ever been fully launched and distributed. Why is malaria so difficult to vaccinate against, and which vaccine candidates are currently in development?
In Focus
The first lockdown was implemented across the UK in March 2020. On the first anniversary, what evidence is there on the impact of the pandemic and initial lockdown on public health, the economy and education?
In Focus
World Book Day is an annual event to promote reading for pleasure amongst children and young people. Taking place this year on Thursday 4 March, its purpose is to change lives by creating life-long reading habits, particularly amongst children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In Focus
The coronavirus pandemic has led to an increased focus on the NHS and whether it has enough staff to meet the country’s healthcare needs. NHS staffing after the pandemic is the subject of a question for short debate to be asked in grand committee in the House of Lords on 4 March 2021.
In Focus
Around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. Disorders often have complex causes, and they can last for many years. To mark Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2021, this article provides an overview of the three most common eating disorders and identifies who is most at risk and what treatments are available.
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 draft Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Uprating Regulations 2021 would set the annual rates of child tax credit and working tax credits from 6 April 2021, and the weekly rates of child benefit and guardian’s allowance from 12 April 2021. The draft regulations must be approved by Parliament before becoming law. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the regulations on 8 February 2021.
In Focus
New regulations have come into force which provide for claimants in receipt of the severe disability premium in legacy benefits to make new universal credit claims. However, there are fears this will leave some of those individuals worse off.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on social policy with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month look at the impact of Covid-19 on young people in Britain, and the inclusion of questions on gender and sexuality in the upcoming UK census.
In Focus
Many health professionals and organisations have raised concerns about the negative impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on cancer survival rates in the UK. This is mainly due to delays and cancellations in screening and diagnostic services. Concern has also been raised about the impact of Covid-19 on cancer patients and their weakened immune systems. This article will look in more detail at the impact Covid-19 is having on cancer in the UK.
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.
In Focus
The Government has extended protections against the enforcement of residential evictions until at least 21 February 2021 because of the third national ‘lockdown’ in England. However, the measure has been criticised by Labour and others for not going far enough to prevent renters from losing their homes during the pandemic. The House of Lords will debate the regulations that extend the ban on 2 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.
In Focus
On 28 January 2020, the House of Lords is due to debate the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee report Social Care Funding: Time to End a National Scandal, published in July 2019. The report argues that increased funding for the sector is urgently needed, alongside long-term reform.
In Focus
A recent investigation has documented an increase in reports of antisemitic incidents at universities in the UK. The Community Security Trust’s December 2020 report also made a number of recommendations to UK universities about how they should respond to reports of antisemitism. The House of Lords is due to debate the report on 21 January 2021.
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