• In Focus

    Educational trips and exchanges: Budget challenges, post-Brexit travel, and the introduction of the Turing scheme

    Educational trips and exchanges can help young people develop language and life skills. However, school leaders, travel organisations, and the House of Lords European Affairs Committee have raised concerns that fewer trips are taking place, pointing to factors including travel complexities post-Brexit and budget considerations. The government has acknowledged the importance of trips and exchanges, highlighting the Turing scheme and the recent agreement to simplify travel requirements for school visits with France.

  • In Focus

    Sportswashing: History, governing bodies, state investments and English football club ownership

    Power and sport have long been linked. From hosting competitions and investing internationally to building new leagues at home, human rights organisations say that some states are using sports to ‘launder’ their international reputations while human rights abuses continue. Governing bodies cite political neutrality or argue that engaging with nations can lead to improvements in human rights.

  • In Focus

    Regulation of news broadcasting companies

    The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the regulator for the communications industry in the UK. It licences broadcasters and enforces content standards through its broadcasting code. In recent years, the government has sought to change the regulation of media companies by introducing legislation to update the framework governing broadcasting. It has also launched a mid-term review evaluating the effectiveness of the governance and regulation of the BBC.

  • Research Briefing

    Media Bill: HL Bill 44 of 2023–24

    The Media Bill would update the legislative framework governing broadcasting and radio services across the UK. It would represent the first major update to broadcasting legislation since Parliament passed the Communications Act 2003 more than 20 years ago. Since then technological changes have facilitated a shift to more and more viewers watching television programmes on demand using smart devices and listeners opting to access radio services using devices such as smart speakers.

  • In Focus

    Contribution of the arts to society and the economy

    The government estimates that creative industries generated £126bn in gross value added to the economy and employed 2.4 million people in 2022. A range of research is also examining the way in which creative industries and the arts can positively impact wellbeing, for example through public health interventions. In June 2023, the government published a ‘Creative industries sector vision’ which included a commitment to an additional £77mn in funding.

  • Research Briefing

    Data Protection and Digital Information Bill: HL Bill 30 of 2023–24

    The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill would amend existing data protection legislation and introduce new provisions in areas such as digital verification services and smart data. The bill was carried over from the last session and is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 19 December 2023.

  • In Focus

    Elgin Marbles: UK government assessment of loaning the sculptures to Greece

    The ownership of the Elgin Marbles (also known as the Parthenon sculptures) is the subject of dispute between the Greek government and the British Museum. This briefing provides background to this dispute, including the position of the UK government, and on the possibility of loaning the sculptures to Greece. It has been written in advance of a Lords debate on 14 December 2023.

  • 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: Culture, media and sport

    This briefing provides details on government proposals for media legislation and regulation of football and the gambling sector. The government has published consultations and papers on these subjects and therefore they may come up in the 2023 King’s Speech. The briefing also links to further reading and briefly summarises other subjects that may be touched upon involving the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

  • In Focus

    Access to music education in schools

    Music forms part of the national curriculum up to key stage three. However, evidence suggests there is significant variability between schools in the provision of music teaching. The government has committed to improving and expanding music teaching in schools through measures in the ‘National plan for music education’, published in June 2022.

  • 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

    Our creative future: Communications and Digital Committee report

    In January 2023, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee published a report on the future of the UK’s creative industries. The report highlighted the contribution the sector makes to the UK economy and criticised the government for being “complacent” in its support for the sector. This article summarises the committee’s recommendations, the government’s response in April 2023, and the government’s ‘Creative industries sector vision’ (June 2023).

  • In Focus

    Freelancers in the arts and creative sectors

    The creative industries sector is a significant contributor to the UK economy and freelancers comprise a large proportion of its workforce. While many freelancers can benefit from the flexibility of self-employment, they can also lose entitlements to a range of workplace rights. Concerns have been raised about the impact on creative freelancers of the UK’s post-Covid recovery. Some organisations in the creative sector have called for the appointment of a freelancers’ commissioner to advocate for the rights of freelancers.

  • In Focus

    Supporting the performing arts

    In 2022 music, performance and visual arts contributed an estimated £11.5bn to the UK economy. The government supports the performing arts primarily through Arts Council England (ACE), which received £943mn from the government and National Lottery in 2021/22. To support its levelling up agenda, the government has asked ACE to distribute more of its funding outside London.

  • Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Home Affairs (February 2023)

    In January 2023, the self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate was arrested in Romania following allegations of human trafficking and rape. His arrest led to a renewed focus on the spread of misogynistic ideas to young men. This article focuses on concerns that the consumption of online content, like that produced by Mr Tate, can have real world consequences, and questions what should be done to tackle it.

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