The UK is required to contribute towards the prevention of atrocity crimes globally. Successive UK governments have used various mechanisms aimed at preventing mass atrocities. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised in recent years regarding the continued occurrence of large-scale violence worldwide. This has prompted some parliamentarians and external stakeholders to call on the government to do more to prevent such atrocities.
The level of abuse and intimidation aimed at those seeking or holding elected office in local government has been increasing. The Local Government Association has found that almost three-quarters of local councillors in England report feeling personally at risk when fulfilling their role. The government has called such abuse and intimidation unacceptable and is pursuing a range of measures in response, including via the Representation of the People Bill.
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about home affairs.
In Focus
Cyber security is becoming an increasingly salient issue as society becomes more dependent on digital services and the capabilities of malicious actors evolve. The government is a significant target for cyber attacks, particularly those aiming to disrupt public services or conduct espionage. This briefing provides an introduction to cyber security and recent plans to strengthen government cyber security.
In Focus
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill would implement Labour’s manifesto commitment to introduce a ‘Hillsborough law’, including placing a new duty of candour and assistance on public authorities and officials at inquiries. Clause 11 would introduce a new offence of misleading the public. The bill’s report stage in the House of Commons has been postponed whilst the government consults families and stakeholders on how certain provisions would apply to intelligence services.
In Focus
In the UK, the term transnational repression is widely accepted to refer to instances of intimidation, violence and harassment by a state against people in another state. Evidence has suggested that various countries, including China, Russia and Iran, have conducted transnational repression on UK soil in recent years. In its report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights explored the issue, its impact on human rights and whether enough support and protections are available. This briefing provides an overview of the committee’s findings and the government’s response.
In Focus
In September 2025, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee held a short inquiry into waste crime. It argued the issue was critically under-prioritised and expressed concern that the Environment Agency had failed to pursue repeated reports of serious waste crime. The government has said that it is making reforms in this area and is investing in the Environment Agency.
In Focus
The government’s current approach to tackling extremism focuses on using the Prevent programme to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. There have been calls for the government to develop a separate counter-extremism strategy. Under both current and previous government there have been several reviews of the UK’s counter-extremism policies. The government has not committed to introducing a new strategy but has said it is considering advice on improving its approach.
In Focus
New government regulations would designate UK life sciences facilities as key national infrastructure, extending police powers to act against protest activity at such facilities. The government argues the changes are necessary to protect these sites from ongoing disruptive activity, much of which is directed against the use of animals in scientific research. Campaigners have criticised the plans as an infringement on the right to protest and unnecessary legislative overreach.
In Focus
In 2005, the then Labour government proposed the introduction of a national identity card scheme and register. Having passed the House of Commons, the government’s Identity Cards Bill reached the House of Lords, where it received a mixed response at its second reading. Speakers from across the House debated the principle and practicability of identity cards. Some members raised specific concerns, foreshadowing debates held later at committee and report stages. This briefing looks back at the bill’s second reading and summarises the key points made.
Research Briefing
The Victims and Courts Bill would introduce various justice reforms, including: compelling offenders to attend their sentencing hearings, restricting parental responsibility for certain sex offenders and clarifying victims’ rights for making disclosures relating to criminal conduct. The bill would also introduce measures to extend the powers of the victims’ commissioner, expand the eligibility for appointing crown prosecutors and increase sentencing review time limits for law officers under the unduly lenient sentences scheme.
Research Briefing
The Sentencing Bill is a government bill that started in the House of Commons. It received its first reading in the House of Lords on 30 October 2025 and is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 12 November 2025.
Research Briefing
The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill 2024–26 is a House of Commons private member’s bill which would create a new offence of unauthorised entry, or attempted entry, to certain football matches in England and Wales.
Research Briefing
The Secure 16 to 19 Academies Bill would amend the Academies Act 2010 to apply different requirements to secure 16 to 19 academies (secure schools). Changes would include reducing the minimum notice period the government must provide before terminating a secure school’s funding agreement from seven to two years.
In Focus
Every day, police officers across the country use a variety of technologies in the course of their duties. Some of these technologies have been used for almost a century, while others have been introduced in recent years. This briefing explores policing’s historic use of technology, some of the recent technological developments and the potential opportunities and risks they present.
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