OFCOM (Duty regarding Prevention of Serious Self-harm and Suicide) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 18 of 2022–23

The OFCOM (Duty regarding Prevention of Serious Self-harm and Suicide) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill that has been introduced in the House of Lords by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench). Amongst its provisions, the bill would require Ofcom to establish a unit to advise the government on the extent of content on social media platforms which could be seen to encourage self-harm or suicide.

OFCOM (Duty regarding Prevention of Serious Self-harm and Suicide) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 18 of 2022–23

Online Safety Bill: HL Bill 87 of 2022–23

The Online Safety Bill is a government bill that would establish a regulatory framework for certain online service providers. It would also create several new offences relating to online harms including offences of false communications, threatening communications, sending or showing flashing images electronically (‘epilepsy trolling’) and sending photographs or films of genitals (‘cyberflashing’). The government has said it will bring forward several amendments to the bill in the House of Lords including new offences relating to intimate images and promoting self-harm, criminal sanctions for senior managers of non-compliant providers, and promotion of small boat crossings.

Online Safety Bill: HL Bill 87 of 2022–23

Water Safety (Curriculum) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 28 of 2022–23

On 3 February 2023, the second reading of the Water Safety (Curriculum) Bill [HL] is scheduled to take place in the House of Lords. The bill is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat). The bill seeks to make it compulsory to include water safety education in the curriculum for all schools (primary and secondary) in England and Wales.

Water Safety (Curriculum) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 28 of 2022–23

  • In Focus

    Arts Council England: Funding and regional distribution

    The government announced plans in February 2022 to redistribute Arts Council England (ACE) funding across regions in England to “level up” access to the arts. ACE published its latest funding allocations for 2023–26 in November 2022. It said 21.8% more investment would be given to regions outside of London when compared to 2018/19. Some arts organisations and parliamentarians have raised concerns about ACE’s funding distribution and the impact on leading cultural institutions.

  • In Focus

    Future funding of the BBC: Lords committee report

    The BBC is principally funded through a licence fee paid by UK households; the amount is set by the government in a periodic ‘licence fee settlement’. In January 2022, the government announced a licence fee settlement that would apply from April 2022 until March 2028. It also stated that it was considering how the BBC should be funded after this period. In July 2022, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee published a report examining the future of BBC funding.

  • In Focus

    Arts and creative industries: The case for a strategy

    The creative industries have been identified as a driver of economic growth and employment by the government and industry stakeholders. The government has said it will publish a ‘sector vision’, setting out its strategy for increasing growth in the creative industries sector. Initially set for publication in 2021, the sector vision has been delayed until 2023. This briefing considers recent developments in the formation of the government’s strategy for the arts and creative industries.

  • In Focus

    BBC World Service: Soft power and funding challenges

    The BBC World Service delivers news in over 40 languages through TV, radio and digital services. It has a weekly reach of 365 million people and is principally funded by the BBC licence fee, with some grants from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In September 2022, the BBC announced plans to “accelerate its digital offering” which, it said, would lead to around 382 job losses and more language services being digital only. It said “tough choices” were necessary to make savings.

  • Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Legal Affairs (November 2022)

    In September 2022, Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced to an audience of Young Conservatives that she was considering proposals to give anonymity to suspected criminals. Several high profile cases and a recent UK supreme court ruling have led to increased discussions about whether “trial by media” could undermine the criminal justice system. This article examines the reaction to the home secretary’s announcement and the supreme court ruling from legal and media sectors, as well as concerns raised by charities about the impact that suspect anonymity could have on victims of crime.

  • In Focus

    Horseracing industry: Support and funding

    The horseracing industry faces several challenges, including falling average attendances and lower prize money levels compared with international competitors. This article briefly outlines these challenges, and discusses the financial support made available to the industry, particularly through the horseracing betting levy.

  • Research Briefing

    Health Promotion Bill [HL]: HL Bill 24 of 2022–23

    The Health Promotion Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Addington (Liberal Democrat) seeking to amend the name and focus of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. For example, it would require the newly defined office to work collaboratively with other departments on a national plan for sport. This follows recommendations from the National Plan for Sport and Recreation Committee intended to improve levels of physical activity in the country.

  • In Focus

    Celebrating national women’s sport teams’ achievements

    National women’s sport teams have seen multiple successes in recent years. England’s victory at the UEFA Women’s Championship 2022 shone the spotlight on how these successes should be honoured and legacies built upon. Recent data has shown that women’s sport audiences have increased since the women’s European championship, and the government has made several commitments to build upon this momentum.

  • In Focus

    Future of public service broadcasting

    The future of public service broadcasting has risen up the political agenda in recent years with debates about how the BBC should be funded and how broadcasters can compete in a competitive online media environment. Recent parliamentary committee inquiries in both the Lords and the Commons have looked at this issue. In April 2022 the government published a white paper on broadcasting and in the 2022 Queen’s Speech said it would introduce media legislation. The House of Lords is due to debate the future of public service broadcasting on 3 November 2022.

  • In Focus

    Freedom of expression online: Communications and Digital Committee report

    This article considers freedom of expression in the UK ahead of the House of Lords debate on the Communications and Digital Committee report ‘Free for all? Freedom of expression in the digital age’ on 27 October 2022. It provides background information on freedom of expression, including restrictions and the online context, and sets out the committee’s recommendations and the government’s policy. It also includes links to commentary on the proposed Online Safety Bill.

  • Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Home Affairs (October 2022)

    In November 2022, the focus of the sporting world will turn to Qatar and the upcoming football world cup. While many fans are looking forward to the tournament, some victims of domestic abuse will be concerned about being subjected to increased levels of violence. This article examines research which has shown a link between football and domestic abuse, with several studies specifically focusing on the impact of international tournaments.

  • In Focus

    Loot boxes in computer games: Are they a form of gambling?

    Loot boxes are rewards within computer games that can be bought with virtual currencies or real-world money. Concerns have been raised about whether they encourage gambling-like behaviours, particularly among children. In July 2022, Boris Johnson’s government published its response to a consultation on loot boxes. It decided not to legislate to bring loot boxes within the scope of the Gambling Act 2005.

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