Research Briefing
This proposed law seeks to place the UK Infrastructure Bank on a statutory footing, giving it a specific set of powers. The bank is currently operating on an interim basis. Its purpose is to invest in infrastructure projects on behalf of the government and attract private sector funds for the same purpose.
Research Briefing
The Social Security (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill is a government bill that is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 24 May 2022. The bill would amend the special rules to allow those with a terminal illness to receive certain disability-related benefits if they have less than 12 months to live (as opposed to the current six months).
Research Briefing
The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill is a government bill that is being fast-tracked through Parliament. It completed its second reading and remaining stages in the House of Commons on 7 March 2022. The bill would make provision in three areas: part 1 would introduce a register of the beneficial owners of overseas entities that owned land in the UK; part 2 would make changes to strengthen unexplained wealth orders; and part 3 would make changes to sanctions legislation to help deter and prevent breaches of financial sanctions.
Research Briefing
The Down Syndrome Bill is a private member’s bill from the House of Commons sponsored by Liam Fox (Conservative MP for North Somerset). The bill would require the secretary of state to give guidance to ‘relevant authorities’ on steps that would be appropriate for them to take to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome when the authority was exercising its ‘relevant functions’.
Research Briefing
On 6 February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Events and initiatives will take place throughout the year to celebrate this milestone, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend in early June.
Research Briefing
This government bill would make several changes to judicial review and introduce new procedural measures in criminal courts, employment tribunals and coroner’s courts, amongst others. According to the Government, the bill would strengthen judicial review, modernise the court and tribunal system, and help to address case backlogs caused by the pandemic.
Research Briefing
Energy bills in the UK are predicted to rise considerably over the next year. This is due to issues that have increased wholesale energy costs and have subsequently put a number of energy suppliers out of business. This briefing outlines these issues and considers the potential impact of increasing energy bills on UK households and how the consumer protection regulatory regime has responded.
Research Briefing
The Building Safety Bill is scheduled for second reading in the House of Lords on 2 February 2022. It completed its House of Commons stages on 19 January 2022. The bill would implement a number of policies aimed at improving the regulation of building safety in England, particularly multiple dwelling buildings over 18 metres tall.
Research Briefing
The Elections Bill is a government bill which completed all its stages in the House of Commons on 17 January 2022. It would make changes to election laws, including to the rules for absentee voting and overseas voters. The bill would also introduce new voter ID requirements and make changes that will affect oversight of the Electoral Commission. The bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 18 January 2022. The bill is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 23 February 2022.
Research Briefing
The bill would establish a system of binding arbitration to resolve outstanding commercial rent debt accrued during the coronavirus pandemic. This briefing considers: the background to the bill; what it would do; what happened during its passage through the House of Commons; and plans to debate it in the House of Lords.
Research Briefing
The Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill is a government bill which completed all its stages in the House of Commons on 10 January 2022. It would introduce the regulated asset base (RAB) as a way of financing new nuclear power stations. Under a RAB, an economic regulator is given the power to levy a charge on consumers, the proceeds of which go towards financing the new infrastructure. At the time of writing, a date for second reading in the House of Lords has not been set.
Research Briefing
The bill would establish a new domestic subsidy control regime following the UK’s departure from the EU. It sets out principles and other requirements for public authorities to comply with when giving subsidies, as well as oversight and enforcement mechanisms. The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 19 January 2022.
Research Briefing
The Nationality and Borders Bill would provide for widespread reform of the immigration and asylum system, though a number of its provisions have proven controversial. This briefing examines the legislation ahead of its consideration in the House of Lords.
Research Briefing
This briefing has been prepared in advance of a House of Lords debate on 16 December 2021 on Bosnia-Herzegovina and upholding the Dayton agreement. The briefing provides information on recent developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina, focusing on warning from the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina that the Serb member of Bosnia-Herzegovina presidency, Milorad Dodik, was pursuing tacitly secessionist policies. It also summarises the international reaction to these developments.
Research Briefing
On 16 December 2021, the House of Lords is due to debate a motion moved by Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale (Labour) that “this House takes note of the plans by Her Majesty’s Government to announce a new international development strategy for the United Kingdom in 2022”.
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