In Focus
Every day, police officers across the country use a variety of technologies in the course of their duties. Some of these technologies have been used for almost a century, while others have been introduced in recent years. This briefing explores policing’s historic use of technology, some of the recent technological developments and the potential opportunities and risks they present.
In Focus
On 12 April 2025, Parliament was recalled to fast-track the passage of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. The government has used the act to direct the operations of British Steel Ltd, which was in danger of collapse. British Steel operates the UK’s remaining blast furnaces at its site in Scunthorpe. This briefing summarises the challenges the UK steel industry has faced in recent years, how the act’s powers have been used in the case of British Steel, and wider government policy on steel.
Research Briefing
The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill is a private member’s bill that would enable national authorities in each part of the UK to make regulations on the import of dogs, cats and ferrets with the aim of protecting their welfare.
Research Briefing
The Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill is a private member’s bill, supported by the government, that would amend the Space Industry Act 2018 to require all spaceflight operator licences to specify a limit on a licence holder's liability for damage or loss. This is intended to encourage investment in the UK space industry by ensuring that operators are not subject to unlimited liability.
In Focus
US scientists have used a breakthrough therapy to edit an infant’s DNA and correct a life-threatening mutation. Preliminary results suggest the approach may have been successful, potentially paving the way for addressing a range of genetic diseases. This briefing investigates this cutting-edge technology and considers the key challenges of regulatory approval and high costs.
Research Briefing
The bill aims to strengthen the law on livestock worrying in England and Wales. Dogs chasing and attacking livestock can cause death, distress and pregnancy loss in animals, as well as financial and emotional impacts for farmers. The bill would increase penalties, expand the definition of livestock and the locations where incidents take place, and give police more powers of evidence collection and dog detention.
Research Briefing
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill would make changes to the system for approving major infrastructure projects, planning committees and nature recovery. It would also make changes to electricity and transport infrastructure processes, development corporations, spatial development strategies, and compulsory purchase. The government intends the bill to help grow the economy by enabling important infrastructure and homes to be built more quickly. Some parts of the bill, particularly those related to nature recovery, have attracted criticism from opposition parties and external bodies.
In Focus
The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is a pan-European satellite navigation system that augments global satellite systems, improving their accuracy and making them suitable for safety-critical applications such as flying aircraft or navigating ships through narrow channels. As a result of its departure from the European Union, the UK no longer participates in the EGNOS programme. Some stakeholders have called for the UK to reinstate the EGNOS system, particularly whilst a UK alternative is developed.
In Focus
Wildfires can harm people and ecosystems and damage property and the environment. Almost all wildfires in the UK are the result of accidental or deliberate acts by humans. Their frequency and severity have been increasing in recent years, with the area burned so far in 2025 already setting records. The National Fire Chiefs Council has called for more resourcing, consistency and coordination to mitigate the effects of future wildfires.
In Focus
In September 2024 the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee launched an inquiry into the scaleup challenges facing startup enterprises working with artificial intelligence (AI) and creative technology. In a report published in February 2025, the committee warned the UK risked becoming an incubator economy where UK startups developed innovative products and services before selling out or moving abroad. This briefing summarises the report’s recommendations and the government’s response.
In Focus
National policy statements (NPSs) inform decision-making for nationally significant infrastructure projects. The current NPS for nuclear power generation (EN-6) has effect for listed nuclear projects capable of being deployed by the end of 2025. Both the current and previous governments have consulted on a new NPS (EN-7) that would apply to nuclear power stations expected to be deployed after 2025. This briefing gives an overview of NPSs, the proposed new NPS for nuclear power generation and the reaction to it, as well as the current government’s policy on nuclear energy.
In Focus
In December 2024, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee published a report examining methane emissions in the UK. While acknowledging the UK’s efforts to reduce emissions, the committee expressed concerns about the UK’s international role in addressing the issue. It made several recommendations, including calling on the government to publish a methane action plan detailing how it would meet its global commitment to reducing methane emissions.
In Focus
The draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025 set out the planned reductions in direct payments to farmers for 2025. The House of Lords is due to debate whether to approve the regulations on 30 April 2025. Concerns have been raised about the severity of the reductions for 2025 and the recent closure for new applications to the sustainable farming incentive scheme, which offered a route to alternative funding.
Research Briefing
The Hares (Closed Season) Bill [HL] would create a closed season during which it would be an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take any hare between 1 February to 30 September each year. It would also repeal the Hares Preservation Act 1892.
In Focus
Engineering biology involves designing and building new biological systems, molecules, or organisms. It has potential applications ranging from medicines and manufacturing to making new materials or more resilient crops. The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has urged the government to seize the opportunities presented by this technology and warned that without urgent action the UK risks losing the potential benefits of remaining a world-leader in the field.
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