Home Affairs Archives

In Focus

Sentencing for emergency service deaths: Calls for change

Thursday, 10 September, 2020

The sentencing of offenders whose crimes lead to the death of an emergency service worker can vary depending upon the conviction received. The Harper’s Law campaign has called for life sentences to be imposed in instances where an emergency service worker is killed as a direct result of a crime. This article discusses life sentences, minimum terms, and recent calls for change to sentencing in England and Wales. This is due to be the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 1 October 2020.
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- Crime
- Justice
In Focus

Covid-19: Impact on the UK cultural sector

Friday, 04 September, 2020

The UK’s arts and entertainment sector has been one of the areas worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The decline in revenues and the number of workers furloughed over the past few months is second only to the accommodation and food sector. This article examines the impact of the pandemic on the UK’s cultural industry and the Government’s recently announced support package worth £1.57 billion aimed at helping the sector recover.
In Focus

Planning regulations: New permitted development rights

Friday, 04 September, 2020

This instrument makes changes to planning regulations in England only. The regulations are part of the Government's economic renewal package in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This article looks at what these regulations do and the scrutiny that the instrument has received so far.
Research Briefing

Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Wednesday, 02 September, 2020

The bill would provide for changes in the sentencing, release and monitoring of terrorism offenders. This briefing explains what the bill would do and what happened to it in the House of Commons.
In Focus

Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Act 2013 (Remedial) Order 2019

Friday, 28 August, 2020

The Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Act 2013 (Remedial) Order 2019 makes changes to the Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Act 2013. These changes are the result of decisions made in the courts on the act’s compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights. This article looks at the court cases which led to the remedial order, ahead of its debate in the House of Lords on 3 September 2020.
In Focus

The jury’s out: Covid-19 impact on jury trials

Tuesday, 21 July, 2020

Jury trials in England and Wales were suspended temporarily on 23 March 2020. This was due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This article discusses the impact that this suspension has had on the justice system, in addition to the Government’s plans for recovery.
In Focus

Covid-19: Reopening church buildings and the financial impact of closure

Monday, 20 July, 2020

The outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK saw the closure of places of worship, including churches, as part of measures to limit transmission of the virus. Churches were gradually reopened in June and July 2020. This article considers the ways in which churches and congregations were affected by this closure and the gradual reopening. It also summarises the discussion between the Government and religious bodies during this process.
In Focus

Covid-19: The impact on human trafficking

Friday, 10 July, 2020

This article looks at how much is known about the relationship between coronavirus and human trafficking, and what actions the Government has taken so far to provide support during the pandemic.
Research Briefing

Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Friday, 10 July, 2020

Amongst its provisions, the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill would give effect to the Government’s policy of ending freedom of movement once the transition phase ends at the end of December 2020. It would also confirm the continued right of Irish citizens to come to and work in the UK after the ending of freedom of movement and it would provide a power to amend, via regulations, retained EU law governing social security coordination.
In Focus

Accusations of racism in the Metropolitan Police Service

Thursday, 09 July, 2020

This article looks at accusations of racism in the Metropolitan Police Service, both towards officers and in its interactions with the public. The action being taken to address racism in the Metropolitan Police Service is the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 15 July 2020.
- In Focus
- Crime
- Justice
In Focus

Independent Monitoring Authority: Duties in Northern Ireland

Monday, 06 July, 2020

The Draft Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Section 75—Designation of Public Authority) Order 2020 relates to Brexit. It would designate the newly created Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements as a “public authority” for the purposes of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and therefore subject to certain statutory equality duties. The House of Lords is due to debate the order on 8 July 2020.
In Focus

TV licences for the over-75s

Thursday, 02 July, 2020

This article explores changes to the entitlement to free TV licences for the over 75s, and how the timetable for implementing this has been extended because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In Focus

Short prison sentences: Calls for change

Wednesday, 17 June, 2020

The use and effectiveness of short prison sentences of under 12 months has been debated in recent years. This article discusses calls for reform of short prison sentences, in addition to the Government’s commitments in this area. Short prison sentences are due to be the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 29 June 2020.
- In Focus
- Justice
Research Briefing

Sentencing Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages

Wednesday, 17 June, 2020

This Law Commission bill seeks to consolidate existing sentencing legislation into a single sentencing statute. The Sentencing Bill is a consolidation bill that will introduce the sentencing code. The aim of the code is to provide a clear and comprehensive source of sentencing procedure legislation for the public, the judiciary and practitioners.
In Focus

Seaside resorts: ‘Staycationing’ during Covid-19

Wednesday, 17 June, 2020

While Covid-19 is expected to have a negative impact on UK tourism overall, the number of domestic tourists in the UK is expected to rise. This briefing considers the debate regarding the potential impact of increases in domestic tourism on seaside resorts.

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