In Focus
The global landscape has changed significantly over the last couple of decades. This has led to questions about the UK’s current global standing and its ambitions. This briefing considers these issues in the context of the UK’s membership of international organisations, and its defence policy, foreign policy, and influence through soft power, the economy and aid spending.
In Focus
In February 2025, the UK government announced that it was resuming negotiations with India with the aim of agreeing a free trade deal. This followed work by the previous Conservative government which initially opened trade talks in 2021. An overview of these talks is provided in this briefing alongside information about the UK’s relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Relevant trade statistics are also included.
In Focus
Iranian authorities have detained British and dual nationals on various charges in recent years, including espionage. The exact number of those detained is not published because some choose to avoid publicity. UN human rights experts have referred to “systemic arbitrary detention” in Iran. The Labour government plans to support British nationals detained overseas by creating a special envoy for complex detention cases and ensuring a legal right to consular assistance.
In Focus
Looking at lessons from the war in Ukraine, the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee found the UK is “under-prepared” to meet the growing threat from Russia. The committee called on the government to commit to increasing and better targeting its defence spending and to leveraging the UK’s alliances. The government’s strategic defence review is due to report in spring 2025.
In Focus
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place each year on 27 January, marking the date of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945. It commemorates the Holocaust during the second world war and subsequent genocides. This year’s commemoration was the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. In 2025, King Charles III became the first British head of state to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
Research Briefing
The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill would establish an independent armed forces commissioner and provide them with powers to initiate investigations into general service welfare matters. It would also abolish the office of the service complaints ombudsman and transfer its functions and responsibilities to the newly established commissioner.
In Focus
The UK has schemes to allow young people from specific countries to come to the UK to live and work for a limited period of time. In April 2024, the European Commission made a proposal to the European Council to open negotiations with the UK on agreeing a youth mobility scheme between the UK and the EU. The Labour government has stated that it has no plans for a scheme with the EU. Several organisations have expressed support for it, but others have expressed concern that it would be a return to a form of freedom of movement.
In Focus
Gaza’s healthcare system is in crisis. Most facilities are damaged beyond use, and those remaining open face shortages of water, fuel and medical supplies. Gaza’s 1.9 million displaced people are at risk of malnutrition, starvation and the spread of infectious diseases. The UK government has called for civilians and medics to be protected, for aid and relief agencies to have consistent access, and for an end to the conflict.
Research Briefing
The Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill is a two-clause government bill that would authorise the government to provide loans and other financial assistance to Ukraine resulting from the extraordinary revenue acceleration (ERA) loans agreement made at the meeting of the G7 and the EU in June 2024. It has been designated as a money bill and it completed its House of Commons stages on 18 December 2024 with broad cross-party support.
In Focus
A rules-based international order is typically used to refer to the system of political, legal, and economic rules which have arguably governed international relations since the second world war. It has been a long-established concept in UK foreign affairs doctrine. However, in recent years, many commentators suggest that a growing strain has been placed upon this system and that a new commitment to global stability and security is required.
In Focus
The UK has been involved in UN peacekeeping since 1948. Its contribution includes determining UN security council mandates, providing financial support and deploying personnel to peacekeeping operations. This briefing examines recent UK peacekeeping operations and policies to support such efforts. This includes commitments to enhancing UK military training of peacekeepers before and during operations.
In Focus
The House of Lords committee on international relations and defence has called on the government to remain alert to emerging changes in the Arctic and to regularly assess whether its strategy towards the region is “appropriately calibrated”. In a report published in 2023, the committee suggested the Arctic was experiencing significant change and was no longer a region of low-tension. It argued the situation was critical to UK interests.
In Focus
With ‘America first’, where will the UK stand? This briefing looks at views on President-elect Trump’s potential trade and international policies.
In Focus
Relations between the UK and China are complex. China is an important trading partner for the UK but its human rights record and global actions attract regular concern and criticism. The Labour government has said that its relationship with China will be based on cooperation, competition and challenge. This briefing looks at the new government’s stance, as well as its position on issues such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and China’s human rights record.
In Focus
The humanitarian crisis affecting Ukraine and its people has continued amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory, including on civilian centres and infrastructure, as temperatures drop towards zero and below. The UK government has pledged over £100mn in additional humanitarian support for 2024/25, as well as additional sums to support energy infrastructure resilience and stabilisation efforts. This comprises part of £5bn pledged in non-military support to date.
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