• In Focus

    Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin: China’s plans for global governance

    China recently hosted a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the northern port city of Tianjin. Established in 2001 with six member states, the intergovernmental organisation now comprises 10 countries, including China, Russia and India, which collectively represent over 42% of the world’s population. Commentators argue it has evolved from a group focused on regional security into a forum aimed at projecting a non-western alternative worldview.

  • In Focus

    Fracture liaison services: Towards universal coverage in England by 2030

    Fracture liaison services proactively identify people at risk of fractures caused by osteoporosis. Patients can then be assessed and treated to prevent future fractures. The provision of fracture liaison services in England has been called a ‘postcode lottery’ by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, and evidence shows variation in quality and reach. The government has committed to 100% coverage by 2030.

  • In Focus

    Access to specialist music and dance schools

    Currently, government funding is available through several schemes to help students attend specialist music and dance schools. The funding a student receives is linked to their household income. The government has continued to fund the two main schemes for the current academic year. However, it has not made any commitments on longer term funding. Industry stakeholders have raised concerns about future funding arrangements, including the impact a reduction could have on diversity in the creative industries.

  • In Focus

    Debate on Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025

    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.

  • In Focus

    Proposals for an updated national policy statement for ports

    The government published a draft new national policy statement for ports in June 2025. This seeks to update the planning policy for ports development, which was previously set out in a 2012 national policy statement. The proposed new policy statement has been welcomed by those in the ports sector. As part of its parliamentary scrutiny, it is due to be debated in the House of Lords on 14 October 2025.

  • In Focus

    Protecting infants from respiratory syncytial virus

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes mostly mild respiratory symptoms. However, RSV can be serious for higher-risk groups such as infants. An RSV vaccination programme to protect newborns, via maternal vaccination, was introduced in England in September 2024. A study has shown the vaccine to be effective in preventing infant hospitalisations, however data has shown variability in vaccine uptake by NHS commissioning region and ethnic group.

  • In Focus

    Parliamentary sessions: Years without a King’s Speech

    A speech by the sovereign at the start of a parliamentary session usually takes place every year. However, there have been six years since 1900 without a speech. Most can be ascribed to the preceding session being longer than average. The government has said the current session will continue until 2026, meaning there will be no King’s Speech in 2025.

  • In Focus

    Joint Committee on Human Rights: Accountability for Daesh crimes

    The Joint Committee on Human Rights has called for a reset in the UK’s approach to investigating and prosecuting international crimes such as genocide. It has also called for a change in the law to allow for universal jurisdiction to prosecute such crimes within the UK; greater oversight of powers that allow UK ministers to deprive individuals of British citizenship; and more information on British citizens held in north-east Syria.

  • In Focus

    Interpreting and language services in the courts: Public Services Committee report

    The House of Lords Public Services Committee’s March 2025 report highlighted perceived issues affecting court interpreting services, including the remuneration and support for interpreters, court technological limitations, and the quality and transparency of data on the provision of interpreting services. The committee made a number of recommendations to address these issues. The government responded to the report in May 2025, setting out how it would seek to address some of these points.

  • In Focus

    Prostate cancer: Tests for men at the highest risk

    Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in men aged over 45 in England, with higher risks linked to ageing, Black ethnicity, and family history. However, there is currently no UK-wide screening programme. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests can detect early signs but have limitations. This briefing covers current testing guidelines, and calls for change, including targeted screening and awareness campaigns. It also outlines government policy and the TRANSFORM trial aiming to improve early detection.

  • In Focus

    The international crime of genocide

    Genocide is one of the gravest crimes of concern to the international community. This briefing examines the elements of the crime of genocide, how it is determined and what the UK government’s position is on making genocide determinations.

  • In Focus

    Votes at 16

    Following Labour’s manifesto commitment to lower the voting age to 16, this briefing considers the potential impact on turnout, electoral outcomes and democratic engagement.

  • In Focus

    World’s first personalised DNA editing treatment

    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.

  • In Focus

    Defence spending, NATO and nuclear weapons in 1985

    The strategic defence review, published in June 2025, described a new era of threat and challenge to the UK. Set against a backdrop of difficult economic conditions, the government has set the ambition of spending 3 percent of GDP on defence in the next parliament. This briefing looks back 40 years to a Lords debate on 1985’s defence estimates, a debate in which members raised points that echo some of today’s political choices.

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