In Focus
Advances in science and medicine led to rising life expectancy in the UK throughout the 20th century, but increases have slowed. Are we nearing the ceiling of life expectancy or will a new wave of research change everything? This briefing explores the science and policy implications of life extension.
In Focus
The government has set out an ambition to raise the growth rate of the UK economy. This briefing looks at how realistic this ambition is. Faster growth in GDP could help deal with some of the economic and social challenges facing the UK. While achieving this goal confronts several structural obstacles, advances in technology and addressing some current obstacles holding back economic activity have the potential to lift the economy onto a higher growth path.
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
Noise and light pollution can be harmful to both humans and wildlife. This briefing looks at their effects and how noise and light are regulated.
In Focus
Two hundred years ago the Vagrancy Act 1824 criminalised begging and rough sleeping. These provisions are still in force today, despite long-standing calls for their repeal and government commitments to replace them. This briefing looks at the original purpose of the act and at efforts to remove it from the statute books.
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
Renewable energy generation can depend on factors like weather conditions and daylight hours. Long-duration energy storage technologies store excess power for long periods to even out the supply. In March 2024, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said increasing the UK’s long-duration energy storage capacity would support the UK’s net zero plans and energy security. The government has announced an investment support scheme, to launch in 2025.
In Focus
Why are bills before Parliament sometimes likened to a Christmas tree? Where did the term Christmas tree bill come from and why? This briefing looks back through Hansard to find when it was first used in Parliament and to trace its development as a political metaphor.
In Focus
The rural economy in the UK is made up of a variety of different industries, including agriculture and tourism. Rural areas contribute a significant proportion of the UK’s economic output. However, figures for England indicate productivity in rural areas is lower when compared with urban areas. This briefing provides a summary of statistics on the rural economy and outlines some of the challenges for achieving economic growth.
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 government has made several proposals to increase housing supply and improve the quality of homes. This includes prioritising building housing on brownfield sites and reforming the national planning policy framework. However, there are concerns that the development of such homes can impact surrounding communities, affecting factors such as green spaces, local infrastructure and public services.
In Focus
An estimated third of the UK population live with allergies. Campaigners have called for improvements to NHS care, including more specialists, better training in primary care, and easier access to medication for those affected. The government has said that work is ongoing on a national strategy for allergies, and it will be considering whether to appoint a national allergy lead.
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.
In Focus
Imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences were indeterminate sentences given to serious offenders who posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public. Although it is over a decade since they were abolished, more than 2,000 people are still in prison serving an IPP sentence. The Labour government has said it would not conduct a resentencing exercise but has said it would continue its efforts in supporting those in custody to reduce their risk and move towards a safe and sustainable release.
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