Health & Social Policy Archives

In Focus

UK Covid-19 Inquiry report: Resilience and preparedness

Wednesday, 14 August, 2024

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

Monday, 12 August, 2024

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

Modern methods of construction in the housing industry

Friday, 09 August, 2024

Modern methods of construction (MMC) refers to a range of building methods that are designed to be more efficient and effective than traditional construction techniques. The House of Lords Built Environment Committee was critical of the Conservative government’s approach to MMC and called for a coherent strategy to promote MMC use in housebuilding. The new Labour government has said it will publish a new long-term housing strategy in the coming months.
In Focus

Education for 11 to 16-year-olds: House of Lords committee report

Tuesday, 23 July, 2024

The House of Lords Education for 11–16 Year Olds Committee argued in a report published in 2023 that “urgent change” was needed in 11–16 education, including revising the curriculum, reducing the volume of exams at 16 and reforming school performance measures. The House of Lords is due to debate the report on 26 July 2024. The Labour government has launched a review of the curriculum and the assessment system, due to report in 2025.
- In Focus
- Education
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Welfare and pensions

Friday, 12 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering welfare and pensions for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Education

Friday, 12 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering education for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Housing, communities and local government

Thursday, 11 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering housing, communities and local government for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
- Research Briefing
- Housing
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Culture, media and sport

Wednesday, 10 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering culture, media and sport for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Health and social care

Wednesday, 10 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering health and social care for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
- Research Briefing
- Health
In Focus

Smoke-free legislation: The UK and New Zealand

Wednesday, 29 May, 2024

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
- Health
In Focus

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

Tuesday, 21 May, 2024

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
- Business
- Health
In Focus

Office for Students: Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report

Wednesday, 15 May, 2024

In 2023, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published a report which criticised the Office for Students’ (OfS) approach to regulation. It said the regulator had a poor relationship with both students and providers, and that it lacked independence from the government. While the government and the regulator acknowledged some reforms were needed, they argued that the OfS’ actions were not driven by political pressures.
- In Focus
- Education
In Focus

Challenges faced by people with disabilities

Monday, 13 May, 2024

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

Monday, 13 May, 2024

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.
Research Briefing

Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Bill: HL Bill 70 of 2023–24

Friday, 10 May, 2024

This private member’s bill would expand eligibility for leave to fathers or partners who experience the death of a child’s mother, adoptive or surrogate parent.

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