In Focus
The Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2020 transposed a revised EU directive into UK law. The current amendment regulations would make some changes to the earlier set, most notably to amend the duties placed on Ofcom, the regulator. The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has raised some concerns about the UK’s ability to tackle online harm now that the UK has left the EU.
In Focus
The Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Bill would prohibit specific cosmetic procedures being performed on young people under the age of 18 in England, except under the direction of a registered health professional (such as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses). It would also prohibit businesses from arranging or performing the procedures on under-18s. The bill has completed its stages in the House of Commons and is due to have its second reading in the Lords on 16 April 2021.
In Focus
This article considers the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, which would increase the maximum sentence available in the worst cases of animal cruelty to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
In Focus
Facial recognition technology is used to identify individuals or to verify someone’s identity. Live facial recognition has been used by several police forces in England and Wales in collaboration with the private sector. There have been calls for increased scrutiny and oversight of the powers of the police to use the technology, including in the House of Lords. This article summarises the debates about the use of this technology.
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.
In Focus
The Forensic Science Regulator Bill would put the existing forensic science regulator post on a statutory basis. The bill would also give the regulator powers to enforce a statutory code of practice for forensic science activities relating to the criminal justice system in England and Wales. The bill has completed its stages in the House of Commons and is due to have its second reading in the Lords on 19 March 2021.
In Focus
The British Library Board (Power to Borrow) Bill would grant the British Library board new powers to borrow money. This private member’s bill, introduced in the House of Commons, has received cross-party support. Having completed its initial stages in the Commons on 12 March 2021, it is scheduled to be debated at second reading in the House of Lords on 19 March 2021. This article summarises the bill’s provisions and its passage through the Commons.
In Focus
The Government has extended existing protections against the enforcement of residential evictions for a second time this year. The protections will now last until 31 March 2021, barring any further extensions.
In Focus
Women have been specifically affected by the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Reasons for this include that they are over-represented in some of the worst-hit sectors, and that they do a greater share of unpaid care. The Government has said it wants women’s economic empowerment to be a focus in the post-pandemic recovery period. But it has faced criticism for not taking enough account of gender equality in its approach.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on social and home affairs with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month include a look at poverty in the UK, and how public services use digital technology.
In Focus
This article looks at the history of the Royal Albert Hall, opened 150 years ago this month, and the impacts on the hall of Covid-19.
In Focus
It has been over 60 years since women gained the right to join the House of Lords. Today, just under a third of members are women. Why is the number of women not equal to that of men?
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 is due to consider the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 on 8 February 2021. The regulations, which came into force on 1 January 2021, are a consequence of a change in policy and drafting approach to sanctions licences issued by British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. This article examines what the regulations do and why they have been made.
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