In Focus
Following Deaf Awareness Week this month, this article looks at British sign language and a campaign for the Government to provide an on-set BSL interpreter at the live televised Covid-19 briefings. It also looks at the introduction of BSL interpretation to certain parliamentary proceedings, most notably for prime minister’s questions.
In Focus
A recent report by the Commission on Alcohol Harm highlighted the damage caused by alcohol abuse. Setting out a number of recommendations, it called for the Government to publish a new comprehensive alcohol strategy. This article provides a brief overview of the report and the Government’s current policy on alcohol.
In Focus
Attendees at a United Nations (UN) summit more than 25 years ago defined an inclusive society as a “society for all”. Policy responses have been introduced in the years since, though questions remain about how progress can be measured. The Covid-19 pandemic has represented a setback towards realising the goal in many areas, but some have identified an opportunity to redouble efforts towards achieving ambitions in the pandemic’s wake.
In Focus
The Black Lives Matter protests, held during the summer of 2020, provoked responses from both national and local public authorities across the UK. This article summarises developments in two issues. First, the Government’s announcement of a fresh review into race and ethnic disparities; and second, the controversy about statues.
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
February is Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and other sexual and gender identities (LGBT+) History Month. This article provides a timeline of legislation passed in Westminster over the last two decades affecting the rights of LGBT+ people.
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
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.
In Focus
Covid-19 has impacted the work of LGBTI+ organisations around the world. This article looks at a recent report by the Baring Foundation which calls for increased spending by the UK Government on global LGBTI+ rights and outlines the current spending commitments in this area.
In Focus
In August and September 2020, the Government made several changes to the planning system in England. It introduced secondary legislation creating new permitted development rights and making changes to use classes. Five of these statutory instruments are being debated in the House of Lords on 27 October 2020. This article provides a summary of these instruments and the scrutiny they have received so far in Parliament.
In Focus
This article looks at two movements for Black liberation: Black Lives Matter and the Black Panther Party. It considers some similarities and differences between the two organisations and details their impact on society in the US and the UK.
In Focus
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 place a prohibition on people gathering in groups of more than six in England; in effect implementing the Government’s ‘rule of six’ policy. Exemptions apply, for example if individuals are members of the same household or two linked households (a support bubble). The House of Lords is due to debate a motion to regret the rules on 6 October 2020.
In Focus
For many years there has been debate about the public representation of historical figures. Black Lives Matter protests in the spring and summer of 2020 renewed media focus on this issue, particularly regarding statues of people with links to slavery and other exploitative or abusive behaviour. This debate is also taking place in other sectors, as people explore how history and knowledge can be made more representative, complete and restorative—from university curricula to library collections.
Research Briefing
The Fire Safety Bill is a government bill, and forms part of the Government’s response to the Grenfell fire. It seeks to clarify the scope of the Fire Safety Order 2005, specifically to ensure that the responsible person or duty-holder for multi-occupied, residential buildings must manage and reduce the risk of fire for the structure and external walls of the building, including cladding, balconies and windows; and for entrance doors to individual flats that open into common parts.
In Focus
This instrument makes changes to planning regulations in England only. The regulations are part of the Government's economic renewal package in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This article looks at what these regulations do and the scrutiny that the instrument has received so far.
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