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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Read the most recent articles analysing topical issues and current affairs.
In response to a revenue shortfall attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government and the Mayor of London agreed three consecutive short-term funding packages for Transport for London worth more than £4 billion. The latest of those agreements expires on 11 December 2021. Concerns have been raised that without further funding, London’s transport infrastructure could see a “managed decline”, with the possibility of cancelled bus routes and tube lines closed.
On 10 December 2021, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate a motion tabled by the Archbishop of Canterbury “that this House takes note of contemporary challenges to freedom of speech, and the role of public, private and civil society sectors in upholding freedom of speech”. This article provides background information ahead of the debate.
Between 12 July and 31 October 2021, the Government temporarily relaxed the enforcement of retained EU law that sets the driving time limits and rest patterns of heavy goods vehicle drivers. This was in response to disruption caused by the HGV driver shortage and the Covid-19 pandemic, amongst other things. The Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs (Temporary Exceptions) (No. 4) Regulations 2021 extends this temporary relaxation from 1 November 2021 until 11.59pm on 9 January 2022. On 6 December 2021, the House of Lords will debate a motion to annul this instrument.
Explore a selection of Lords Library research and resources relevant to Disability History Month.
Analysis on legislation before the House of Lords, debates and topical affairs.
The Health and Care Bill is scheduled for second reading in the House of Lords on 7 December 2021. This Lords Library briefing focuses on how the bill changed as it went through the House of Commons, and remaining areas that opposition parties and other stakeholders would like to see addressed in the House of Lords.
This Lords Library briefing sets out how the House of Lords is structured, governed and managed, including joint working with the House of Commons.
This briefing has been prepared in advance of a House of Lords debate on 2 December 2021 on the value of the BBC to its audiences. The briefing provides information on the BBC’s remit, its services, and their economic value to the UK. It also summarises issues such as the negotiations between the BBC and the Government over the licence fee settlement from 2022, and the forthcoming mid-term review of the BBC’s royal charter.
Explore a selection of Lords Library research and resources on the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
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.
Read the latest coronavirus (Covid-19) analysis from Parliament.
