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Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: HL Bill 59 of 2026–27

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill is a government bill that completed its House of Commons stages in October 2026. Among other things, it would repeal and replace parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, set expanded parameters for a renamed Legacy Commission and allow inquests to be reopened. The bill was opposed by opposition parties in the Commons, who flagged concerns about repeated investigations and the impact on veterans.
- Communities
- Crime
- Devolution
- Justice
- Parliament
Budget 2026: Key announcements, forecasts and reaction

In his first budget as chancellor, delivered on 28 October 2026, John Healey announced a range of measures that were relatively small in fiscal terms. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecast that taxes, spending and borrowing would be higher than previously forecast, mostly driven by higher inflation and a moderate deterioration in economic conditions. It said the plans met the government’s day-to-day spending rule by a reduced margin of £15bn.
Rebuilding forensic science for criminal justice: Science and Technology Committee report

In February 2026, a House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report concluded that long-standing issues in forensic science services were a threat to the criminal justice system and the wider public. Sir Keir Starmer’s government rejected the committee’s central recommendation to establish a national institute of forensic science, arguing that improvements would be implemented through its longer-term plan to create a new national police service.