We publish briefings on every major item of business in the House of Lords, providing Members with an essential overview of the topic, its progress in Parliament, and recent developments, to help them engage with business in the Chamber. We also produce topical and current affairs briefings, providing authoritative, up-to-date information on key topics and events.
The House of Lords Library produces briefings to support Members and the work of the House. This page provides details of all House of Lords Library research publications which are relevant to the business of the House this week.
Browse our work by topic, from Brexit and the EU to science and the environment. Explore our most recent publications, including longer, in-depth, briefings and shorter, web-based, articles.
The House of Lords Library provides impartial, authoritative, timely research and information to Members of the House of Lords in support of their parliamentary work.
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The Lords Library has produced briefings covering over 15 topic areas for the upcoming Queen's Speech. Topics include international trade, foreign affairs and transport.
Read the most recent articles analysing topical issues and current affairs.
Around one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered around the world. In the UK, more than 35 million people have received at least one dose. The vaccine developed at the University of Oxford, in partnership with AstraZeneca, is one of the major vaccines currently in circulation. This article covers the debate over supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Europe, as well as the rare blood clotting side-effect reported after a small number of first doses.
Ahead of the Queen’s Speech on 11 May 2021, this In Focus sets out some of the Government’s current trade priorities and summarises policy issues that may be expected to develop over the next parliamentary session. This includes current trade negotiations, parliamentary scrutiny of agreements and the potential need for implementing legislation.
The 2019 Conservative Party manifesto included a commitment to reform UK agriculture and improve animal welfare. During the 2017–19 session, the Government passed the Agriculture Act 2020 and supported a private member’s bill extending sentences for animal cruelty. The Government has said it will introduce legislation banning the live export of animals in the new session. It has also said it will introduce legislation on the recognition of animal sentience when parliamentary time allows.
Read the latest coronavirus (Covid-19) analysis from Parliament.
Analysis on legislation before the House of Lords, debates and topical affairs.
What have been the largest ever votes in the House of Lords? This briefing provides a list of divisions since 1999 where 500 or more Members have voted.
The budget set out the Government’s plans for taxation and spending over the next five years. It also included the Office for Budget Responsibility’s assessment of the economy and forecasts for growth, the public sector finances, unemployment and inflation. It illustrated the effect of coronavirus on the economy and described how the Government aims to deal with the recovery from the pandemic.
Hereditary peer by-elections are held within the House of Lords to replace excepted hereditary peers who have retired or died. This Lords Library Briefing provides a list of hereditary peers’ by-election results since the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999, including information on turn out and the number of candidates.
In-depth analysis on legislation before the House of Lords, debates and topical affairs. Longer, more in-depth briefings in PDF format.
Shorter, web-based articles analysing topical issues and current affairs.
A monthly round-up of specialised press, blog and journal articles on a variety of subjects.
