• In Focus

    Media literacy: Lords Communications and Digital Committee report

    The committee’s report raised concerns about public risk from misinformation, disinformation and online harms. The committee recommended enhancing media literacy, including through national curriculum reforms, an industry levy to fund education, and better coordination of support for adults, especially parents. The government agreed on the importance of media literacy, citing measures under the Online Safety Act 2023, cross-government work, and forthcoming updated media literacy teaching following the curriculum review.

  • In Focus

    UK flour milling sector

    The flour milling sector produces flour for a variety of foods, including bread, biscuits, cakes and other products. This briefing provides an overview of the contribution of the flour milling sector to the UK economy, including its contribution to employment.

  • In Focus

    Waste crime: Role of the Environment Agency

    In September 2025, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee held a short inquiry into waste crime. It argued the issue was critically under-prioritised and expressed concern that the Environment Agency had failed to pursue repeated reports of serious waste crime. The government has said that it is making reforms in this area and is investing in the Environment Agency.

  • In Focus

    Public Order Act 2023 (Interference with Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025

    New government regulations would designate UK life sciences facilities as key national infrastructure, extending police powers to act against protest activity at such facilities. The government argues the changes are necessary to protect these sites from ongoing disruptive activity, much of which is directed against the use of animals in scientific research. Campaigners have criticised the plans as an infringement on the right to protest and unnecessary legislative overreach.

  • In Focus

    Superintelligent AI: Should its development be stopped?

    Artificial superintelligence (ASI) is a hypothetical future form of AI with cognitive functions and highly developed thinking skills more advanced than any human. While some have claimed it might be possible “in a few thousand days”, others are more sceptical about its development. Concerns have been raised that ASI presents an existential threat to humanity and its creation should be prevented or more strictly regulated.

  • In Focus

    Potential future risks from autonomous AI systems

    Some experts argue that future autonomous AI systems may be able to evade human oversight and control. The likelihood and potential impacts of such “loss of control” incidents are debated as the trajectory of future AI advancement is uncertain. To address this risk, the UK has adopted non-statutory principles to guide responsible development and use but currently lacks AI-specific regulations or legislation.

  • In Focus

    Environmental improvement plan 2025

    The government published a revised environmental improvement plan in December 2025, containing updated targets and government commitments for improving the environment. These plans and targets are required under the Environment Act 2021. The government hopes the new plan will improve clarity on the actions to be taken to improve the environment. However, some have argued it does not go far enough to recognise the urgency of the situation.

  • In Focus

    Managing nitrogen use and pollution: Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report

    The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has argued that policies governing nitrogen use and pollution in the UK need to be strengthened. It has called for better regulation, a ‘circular approach’ to nitrogen management (based on more efficient use and recycling) and a more coordinated strategy on nitrogen pollution. This briefing highlights some key points from the committee’s report and the government’s response to it.

  • In Focus

    Historical responsibility for colonial mining pollution

    Mining can have major impacts on the environment with one study putting the current global environmental costs of mining annually at £0.3tn, representing 0.5% of the world’s annual GDP. Widespread mining took place in British colonies during colonial rule. Commentators such as Action for Southern Africa have argued that instances of historic pollution, and how mining industries deal with them, present “a warning for what could come as the energy transition accelerates”.

  • In Focus

    AI in the NHS

    Artificial intelligence (AI) arguably has the potential to deliver considerable cost and time savings in healthcare by automating some administrative and clinical tasks. The government plans to expand the use of AI in the NHS but public sentiment is divided. This briefing explores the main concerns and outlines key questions for regulating this technology.

  • Research Briefing

    Rare Cancers Bill: HL Bill 124 of 2024–26

    The Rare Cancers Bill is intended to incentivise research and investment into rare cancers, which tend to be more difficult to diagnose and treat than common cancers. The bill would require the secretary of state to promote research into rare cancers and to review licencing for medicines which treat rare conditions. It would also create a national speciality lead to promote and advise on research, as well as improved data sharing for contacting potential trial participants.

  • Research Briefing

    Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill: HL Bill 148 of 2024–26

    The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill is intended to align UK law with an international agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the 'high seas'. The bill would enable the UK to enforce compliance for UK craft with internationally agreed protections, such as marine protected areas. It would also set out requirements for UK-based projects collecting genetic resources.

  • In Focus

    Impact of litter on canal towpaths

    The Canal and River Trust manages most canal towpaths in England and Wales. Its responsibilities include maintaining canal infrastructure and managing litter. However, due to high waste-management costs and concerns over government funding from 2027, the trust has removed bins at several of its canal towpath locations. This has prompted local concerns about increased fly-tipping, increased litter and pollution.

  • In Focus

    Plastic recycling targets

    This briefing examines existing plastic recycling waste targets and discusses whether those targets are being met. It also details successive governments’ policies on plastic recycling. It has been prepared ahead of Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville’s (Liberal Democrat) question for short debate on 20 November 2025 on the progress the government has made in achieving plastic recycling targets.

  • In Focus

    Impact of government policies on biodiversity and the countryside

    The UK has been described as “one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth”. Legally binding biodiversity targets apply under the Environment Act 2021. Work is underway to gather data to measure progress towards them. Government policies to improve biodiversity include local nature recovery strategies, environmental land management schemes, biodiversity net gain and introducing a nature restoration levy through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. However, nature groups have argued the levy may work to reduce environmental protection.

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