On 18 March 2020, the Government introduced the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill in the House of Commons. It completed report stage and third reading in the Commons on 3 November 2020. The second reading date in the House of Lords has yet to be announced. This briefing provides a summary of the bill’s provisions and its passage through the House of Commons.
The House of Lords made several changes to its procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the use of virtual sittings and sittings which featured both physical and remote participation. This article provides a chronology of these developments.
In August and September 2020, the Government made several changes to the planning system in England. It introduced secondary legislation creating new permitted development rights and making changes to use classes. Five of these statutory instruments are being debated in the House of Lords on 27 October 2020. This article provides a summary of these instruments and the scrutiny they have received so far in Parliament.
In Focus
On 12 October 2020, the Government announced a new system of local Covid-19 alert levels in England. Areas would be categorised as either ‘medium’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’. Different restrictions intended to combat the spread of Covid-19 would be in place based on the alert level in a local area. This article summarises the regulations establishing this new system and the reaction from the local areas affected.
In Focus
On 11 September 2020, the Government announced that it would be creating new ‘local lockdown’ restrictions in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull. These regulations came into force on 15 September 2020. Under the regulations, those living within these areas are prohibited from meeting different households in private dwellings either within or outside the protected area (except for linked households). This article provides a summary of these regulations and their scrutiny in Parliament. It also considers how people in the areas affected have responded to the new restrictions.
In Focus
In July 2020, a local lockdown was introduced in Blackburn with Darwen and in Luton. This followed the introduction of similar measures in Leicester. In August 2020, Luton was taken out of local lockdown. At the same time, restrictions were introduced for Bradford. This article summarises the measures introduced and how they have changed over time.
In Focus
In June 2020, the Government announced a local lockdown would be implemented in Leicester and surrounding areas. This was intended to limit the spread of Covid-19. This article provides an overview of how the local lockdown in Leicester and surrounding areas was introduced and the subsequent changes to the rules.
In Focus
Seventy-five years ago Nazi propagandist William Joyce (“Lord Haw-Haw”) was convicted for high treason. This article summarises the events leading up to his conviction and execution. It then considers the current law on treason and recent calls for reform.
In Focus
This In Focus article considers the impact of changes the House of Lords has made during the pandemic on Member participation, focusing on the period between the introduction of hybrid proceedings and the beginning of the 2020 summer recess.
In Focus
Scientific research in universities is funded through a mix of public money, EU funding and other sources. This article considers the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report on the pressures on science research funding in universities, including proposals in the Augar Review to lower the existing cap on tuition fees and the potential impact of Brexit. The committee’s report is due to debated in the House of Lords on 9 September 2020.
In Focus
The outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK saw the closure of places of worship, including churches, as part of measures to limit transmission of the virus. Churches were gradually reopened in June and July 2020. This article considers the ways in which churches and congregations were affected by this closure and the gradual reopening. It also summarises the discussion between the Government and religious bodies during this process.
In Focus
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government introduced a new requirement that passengers on public transport wear facial coverings. This measure was intended to prevent the spread of the virus. This article looks at the regulations establishing this requirement, due to be debated in the House of Lords on 8 July 2020.
Research Briefing
The Government’s Business and Planning Bill is intended to help the economy recovery from the effects the Covid-19 outbreak.
In Focus
While Covid-19 is expected to have a negative impact on UK tourism overall, the number of domestic tourists in the UK is expected to rise. This briefing considers the debate regarding the potential impact of increases in domestic tourism on seaside resorts.
In Focus
In December 2019, the High Court published a ruling concerning the Post Office’s Horizon electronic accounting system. This article outlines the dispute between sub-postmasters and the Post Office over the operation of this system. It also summarises calls for the Government to establish a public enquiry.
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