Health & Social Policy Archives

In Focus

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

Wednesday, 19 March, 2025

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
- Business
- Health
In Focus

Covid-19 pandemic: Support for the bereaved

Monday, 17 March, 2025

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

International Women’s Day 2025: Women in science and technology

Wednesday, 26 February, 2025

On 6 March 2025, the House of Lords is scheduled to hold a debate marking International Women’s Day focused on the steps being taken to promote women’s participation and leadership in science and technology. The motion for the debate is sponsored by Baroness Gustafsson, the government minister for investment. This briefing provides an overview of data and research in this area, as well as information on government policy.
Research Briefing

Education (Assemblies) Bill [HL]:HL Bill 35 of 2024-25

Friday, 14 February, 2025

The Education (Assemblies) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat). It would repeal the requirement for schools in England without a designated religious character to provide daily acts of collective religious worship. In its place, the bill would establish a new duty to provide non-religious assemblies which develop the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural education of pupils.
Research Briefing

Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 28 of 2024–25

Tuesday, 04 February, 2025

The Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Lucas (Conservative). The bill would establish new permitted development rights to make additions and alterations to domestic properties. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 7 February 2025.
Research Briefing

Mortgage Prisoners Inquiry Bill [HL]: HL Bill 33 of 2024–25

Friday, 31 January, 2025

This proposed law would require the government to hold a public inquiry as soon as reasonably practicable into the circumstances surrounding mortgage prisoners.
- Research Briefing
- Housing
In Focus

Creative industries: Growth, jobs and productivity

Thursday, 30 January, 2025

The government has identified the creative industries as one of eight “growth driving” sectors it will prioritise in its industrial strategy. The strategy is due to be published later this year, along with a creative industries sector plan. The creative industries have called on barriers to growth, such as skills gaps and access to funding, to be addressed in the sector plan.
Research Briefing

Renters’ Rights Bill: HL Bill 60 of 2024–25

Wednesday, 29 January, 2025

The Renters' Rights Bill would enact significant reform of the private rental sector (PRS). The bill’s provisions are centred on the PRS in England, though some measures would apply to Scotland and Wales. Many of the provisions in the bill are similar to the Renters (Reform) Bill 2023–24 introduced by the then Conservative government, but with several key differences including ending rental bidding and curtailing rent payments in advance of a tenancy.
- Research Briefing
- Housing
In Focus

Lifelong learning: England’s adult education sector and the government’s plan for skills

Wednesday, 29 January, 2025

Lifelong learning can have social, professional and health benefits. However, funding and student numbers have decreased over the past decade. Government policies aim to align skills and learning opportunities with local and national economic priorities. Policies include devolving adult skills funding to mayoral authorities, introducing the lifelong learning entitlement, and establishing Skills England.
In Focus

The Office for Students: Proposed strategy and decision to pause applications

Friday, 24 January, 2025

The Office for Students (OfS) strategy for 2025 to 2030 establishes priorities in the areas of quality, student experience, and sector resilience. The OfS is currently pausing aspects of its regulatory functions to focus on financial sustainability among education providers. This action is supported by the government. However, critics argue the OfS’s decision will cause financial difficulties to some education providers and leave some students without the protection of the regulator.
- In Focus
- Education
Research Briefing

Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill: HL Bill 61 of 2024–25

Thursday, 23 January, 2025

This government bill would enable changes to the business rates regime. It would allow the introduction of additional business rate multipliers to increase business rates for larger properties and reduce business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, and the removal of charitable rate relief from some private schools that are charities.
In Focus

Academy schools: Government plans for change

Monday, 20 January, 2025

The number of academy schools has increased significantly since 2010. In England, 43.5% of all schools were academies in the 2023/24 academic year. The government has announced plans to change the rules academy schools must follow. Some of these changes are set out in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
- In Focus
- Education
In Focus

Budget tax measures: Context for the UK’s nations and regions

Friday, 17 January, 2025

Tax measures announced in the autumn 2024 budget included reforms to agricultural property relief for inheritance tax, changes to employer national insurance contributions and the extension of VAT to private school fees. This briefing provides some context to assess the potential economic impact of these measures on the nations and regions of the UK.
In Focus

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

Monday, 13 January, 2025

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.
Research Briefing

Regulated and Other Activities (Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 9 of 2024–25

Monday, 13 January, 2025

The Regulated and Other Activities (Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench). It received its first reading on 29 July 2024 and is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 17 January 2025.

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