In Focus
The usage of educational technology in UK schools is already growing and likely to increase significantly in coming years, particularly as a result of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Many commentators suggest that these technologies present significant opportunities but also substantial risks. This briefing examines these issues ahead of a forthcoming debate in the House of Lords.
In Focus
Agricultural fungicides are pesticides which are used to prevent or control plant disease caused by fungi. They can help ensure food availability, affordability and safety. However, they can also have negative environmental effects and exposure to chemical pesticides has been linked to a higher risk of chronic disease in humans. The government is due to publish a revised national action plan on the sustainable use of pesticides by the end of 2023.
In Focus
Powered light vehicles (PLVs) are a category of smaller, lighter vehicles, including mopeds and motorcycles. Zero emission PLVs can contribute to reducing congestion and air and noise pollution. The government consulted in 2022 on ending sales of new non-zero emission PLVs by 2035, but the industry argues this is unrealistic. It is not clear how the government’s decision to delay the date for ending sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans affects this proposal.
In Focus
Passengers with a disability or reduced mobility are entitled to assistance from airports and airlines when flying. However, some passengers using assistance services have had poor experiences in recent years. This was particularly the case during widespread sector disruption in 2022 due to staffing shortages. The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority have consulted on ways to improve consumer rights for those who require assistance when travelling by air.
In Focus
The Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Review (IC(E)TR) programme, chaired by Baroness Hollins, reviewed the care and treatment of 191 people who were detained in long-term segregation between November 2019 and March 2023. On 8 November 2023 a report outlining the review’s findings was published highlighting concerns about the practice of long-term segregation, including a lack of therapeutic benefit. The government’s response to the report was published on the same day. This briefing considers the findings ahead of a debate in the House of Lords.
In Focus
The Ukrainian Holodomor, also known as the ‘great famine’, took place between 1932 and 1933. Agricultural policies introduced under Joseph Stalin’s Soviet regime have been blamed for the deaths of millions of people during this time. In recent years, various governments and parliaments have recognised the event as genocide. The UK government has said it would only refer to the event as genocide following a determination by a competent court.
In Focus
Over recent years there has been a decline in the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. There has also been an increase in demand for mental health services. The government and NHS England have committed to a number of policies intended to increase the availability of these services and improve the quality of care. This article considers the types of care provided and the reaction to these recent policy announcements.
In Focus
The Life Peerages Act 1958 received royal assent on 30 April 1958 and the first 14 life peers were announced later that year on 24 July. Prior to the act, the House of Lords was exclusively male and largely made up of hereditary peers, with the exception of the Lords Spiritual and a limited number of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary—judges who had been granted life peerages under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act of 1876. Although life peers had been created previously, historically they were not allowed to sit or vote in the House of Lords. The act would also allow women to sit in the Lords for the first time. This briefing looks back at second reading of the Life Peerages Bill in the House of Lords, 65 years ago.
In Focus
The Peerage Act 1963 enabled hereditary peers to renounce their titles. Eighteen hereditary peers have disclaimed their peerages under the act. The first was Tony Benn, and those later disclaiming included Lord Hailsham and the Earl of Home, who both subsequently returned to the House of Lords as life peers. The act also allowed female hereditary peers to take seats and gave holders of Scottish peerages the same right to receive a writ of summons as holders of UK peerages. This briefing looks back at second reading of the Peerage Bill in the House of Lords, which took place on 4 July 1963.
In Focus
The state opening of Parliament in 1958 would be the last of that parliament, taking place 12 months before the election the following year. In the six days of debate on the address that followed, members responded to the government’s legislative programme, an agenda set in a context of ongoing international and domestic economic challenges. However, its significance lay in it being the occasion for two parliamentary firsts. This briefing looks back to find that the subsequent debates on the address saw the first contributions of life peers. It was also the first state opening to be televised.
In Focus
The government has not signalled a specific welfare bill for the upcoming King’s Speech. However, it has committed to make some reforms to the benefits system that may require legislation. These include measures to reduce benefits fraud and error, and changes to the enforcement of child maintenance payments.
In Focus
The chancellor’s Mansion House speech in July 2023 included a range of reforms to private pensions that may require primary legislation. These included initiatives to consolidate the defined contribution and defined benefit pensions sectors, and to encourage greater investment by pension funds in UK companies.
In Focus
This briefing considers legislation that may be announced in the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023 relating to science, innovation and technology. For example, the government has said that it does not initially intend to introduce legislation regulating artificial intelligence but is continuing to look at the area.
In Focus
This briefing provides details on government proposals for media legislation and regulation of football and the gambling sector. The government has published consultations and papers on these subjects and therefore they may come up in the 2023 King’s Speech. The briefing also links to further reading and briefly summarises other subjects that may be touched upon involving the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
In Focus
The government has not indicated it plans any constitutional reform bills in the new session. However, it has set out some changes it intends to make around business appointment rules, public appointments, transparency and lobbying. Over coming months, an independent review of civil service governance and accountability, an updated draft of the Cabinet manual and a government report on voter ID are all expected to be published. The government is reportedly in “listening mode” on House of Lords reform.
Total results (page 29 of 83)