• In Focus

    Foreign national offenders in UK prisons: Powers to deport

    Under UK legislation, the government has a duty to consider deportation of foreign nationals convicted of an offence in the UK and sentenced to at least 12 months’ imprisonment. It can remove foreign national offenders before the end of their prison sentence through various schemes and through prisoner transfer agreements. The deportation of foreign national offenders is a government priority. During 2023, 3,926 foreign national offenders were returned.

  • In Focus

    Poverty in the UK: Government policy

    There were approximately 11 million people in the UK in relative poverty (before housing costs) in 2021/22. Many people on low incomes receive cash benefits, such as universal credit, and other benefits such as free school meals. In its levelling up strategy the government set out measures to address poverty; these include increasing the number of high-paying jobs and improving access to good quality education and skills training.

  • Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Law (February 2024)

    Sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPPs) were abolished in 2012. However, this abolition did not apply retrospectively to prisoners already serving IPPs. Recent prison population data on IPPs has shown over 1,200 prisoners have never been released. This briefing examines concerns raised by campaign groups, professional bodies and international partners about the impact of IPPs on prisoners’ release prospects and mental health.

  • Research Briefing

    Post Office (Horizon System) Compensation Bill: HL Bill 37 of 2023–24

    The Post Office (Horizon System) Compensation Bill is a government bill which provides the secretary of state for business and trade with the financial authority to make compensation payments to those individuals who were the victims of the Horizon system scandal. It would mean that compensation could continue to be paid under one of the schemes, known as the Group litigation order (GLO) scheme. Currently, the power to pay compensation under this scheme ceases in August 2024. The bill would also allow the secretary of state to pay compensation to individuals in other compensation schemes and arrangements and in respect of other matters identified in High Court judgments given in proceedings relating to the Horizon system, such as the failure by the Post Office to pay suspension pay to postmasters. The second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is due on 16 January 2024. The bill would extend and apply to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It would commence at royal assent.

  • Research Briefing

    Victims and Prisoners Bill: HL Bill 31 of 2023–24

    The Victims and Prisoners Bill would introduce various changes in the criminal justice system and beyond. This would include placing key victims’ code rights into law, requiring an infected blood scandal compensation body to be set up, and allowing the secretary of state to refer prisoner release decisions of the most serious offenders to the upper tribunal or high court. A proportion of the bill’s provisions have previously been the subject of Conservative Party manifesto commitments, government consultations, reviews and announcements. The bill was amended in various ways during its passage through the House of Commons.

  • Research Briefing

    Pedicabs (London) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 2 of 2023–24

    The Pedicabs (London) Bill is a government bill which would provide Transport for London with powers to regulate pedicabs, also known as cycle rickshaws, for example by introducing a licensing regime and standards for operators, drivers and their vehicles. The bill would extend to England and Wales, but only apply in England to pedicabs operated within Greater London. The bill was promised in the 2023 King’s Speech and was introduced into the House of Lords on 8 November 2023. It is due to receive its second reading on 22 November 2023.

  • In Focus

    King’s Speech 2023: Home affairs

    This briefing explores what home affairs related announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023. It includes information on potential new offences, new powers for the dismissal of police officers and possible changes to community safety partnerships. It also looks at potential legislation relating to modern slavery and a Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill.

  • In Focus

    King’s Speech 2023: Crime and justice

    The King’s Speech is scheduled to be delivered on 7 November 2023. The speech will set out the government’s legislative and policy programme for the new parliamentary session. This briefing provides a summary of legislative announcements and policy proposals on crime and justice that may become the subject of legislation during the 2023–24 session. This includes information on the Victims and Prisoners Bill and policy announcements on criminal justice sentencing.

  • Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Home Affairs (September 2023)

    Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) experienced two data breaches in July and August 2023. In the first breach, a laptop and documents were stolen from a private vehicle, exposing the names of over 200 officers and staff. In the second breach, the police service accidentally published the personal details of 10,000 officers and staff online. This article examines the ramifications of the data breaches and discusses the political reaction to them.

  • In Focus

    Horseracing industry: Government support and recent developments

    Horseracing is the second largest sport in the UK in terms of attendance and revenues generated. However, the horseracing industry faces several challenges, including declining attendances and lower prize money levels compared with international competitors. This article summarises the government support provided to the racing industry, the proposed reforms in the government’s gambling white paper of April 2023, and the reaction to protests at racecourses over the summer of 2023.

  • In Focus

    Tackling violence against women and girls in the UK

    The UK government has labelled violence against women and girls as a national threat. It has committed to a range of actions to protect women and girls against harm in strategies focused on tackling violence against women and girls and domestic abuse. The government has also introduced measures through legislation such as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate this issue on 29 June 2023.

  • In Focus

    Tackling fraud: Lords committee report

    In 2022, the House of Lords Fraud Act 2006 and Digital Fraud Committee held an inquiry on a wide range of issues relating to fraud. It found that fraud was the most experienced crime in England and Wales and has brought significant financial and emotional costs to millions of victims. However, the committee also found that successive governments had failed to prioritise the issue, with the response from law enforcement and the private sector also lacking. To address these issues, the committee made 65 recommendations.

  • In Focus

    Draft Public Order Act 1986 (Serious Disruption to the Life of the Community) Regulations 2023: ‘Fatal’ and ‘regret’ motions

    In response to protests by groups such as Just Stop Oil, the government has introduced secondary legislation which would lower the threshold for what kind of protests are classed as “serious disruption” in England and Wales. The regulations are controversial because the government previously tried to introduce the same changes during parliamentary consideration of the Public Order Act 2023. The House of Lords rejected the proposed measures at that time. The House is now set to debate the regulations and motions to ‘regret’ or reject them.

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