Farming: labour shortages and new trade deals
This article considers recent labour shortages in the farming and food sectors, and the potential impact on farming of the UK’s new trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.
BBC: Value to the UK and wider global audiences
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.
Modern slavery in UK supply chains
Concerns have been raised about modern slavery and forced labour in the supply chains of UK businesses. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 places duties on companies to report on the steps they are taking to eradicate slavery from their business. This article analyses the impact of the reporting requirements and the progress the Government has made in meeting its commitments to strengthen the act’s provisions.
-
In Focus
Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill
This article considers the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, which would increase the maximum sentence available in the worst cases of animal cruelty to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
-
In Focus
Regulation after Brexit: The Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform
This article considers the Government’s post-Brexit regulatory reform agenda. The Government has established a Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform, which is the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 17 March 2021.
-
In Focus
Brexit: Replacing EU funding in Wales
This article looks at the Government’s commitments to replace EU development funding in Wales, which has ceased because of Brexit. An oral question on the subject is due to be asked in the House of Lords on 3 March 2021.
-
In Focus
New Lords appointments: December 2020
This article analyses the new peers announced in December 2020 by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the 79 peers he has appointed in total since taking office.
-
In Focus
Audiovisual Media Services (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
The Audiovisual Media Services (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 govern how on-demand programming and video-sharing platforms will be regulated after the Brexit transition period ends.
-
In Focus
Law Enforcement and Security (Separation Issues etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
The Law Enforcement and Security (Separation Issues etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 allow for the implementation of the separation provisions in the UK-EU withdrawal agreement relating to law enforcement and security cooperation.
-
In Focus
New Lords appointments in July 2020
This article analyses the 36 new peerages announced by the Prime Minister on 31 July 2020. It provides statistics on the background, gender and party affiliation of the new peers. The article also compares the number and gender balance of peers created by Boris Johnson with those of the former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May.
-
In Focus
Coronavirus: Amendments to Northern England lockdown regulations
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has imposed local lockdowns in areas of the north of England. On 20 October 2020, the House of Lords will debate a statutory instrument which makes further amendments to the lockdown restrictions in the north east.
-
In Focus
Coronavirus regulations: Apprenticeships
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Department for Education has said it expects to see an increase in the number of apprentices being made redundant. The Government has laid regulations which would allow apprentices who are made redundant to continue to receive funding to complete their apprenticeship through an alternative provider.
-
In Focus
Coronavirus: Support for the transport sector
Following the coronavirus lockdown, the number of passengers on the transport system declined significantly. In some sectors government financial support has been provided to make up the shortfall in lost fare revenue. This article summarises statistics on transport use and the economic support provided by the Government, ahead of an oral question on that subject in the House of Lords.
-
In Focus
Brexit regulations: Carriage of dangerous goods and transportable pressure equipment
This article summarises the provisions of new regulations which will affect the carriage of dangerous goods and the use of transportable pressure equipment at the end of the Brexit transition period. The House of Lords is due to debate the regulations on 29 September 2020.
-
In Focus
Coronavirus: Motion to annul rules on eviction court cases
The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020 make arrangements for how eviction court cases, which were temporarily suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, will proceed when the suspension is lifted on 21 September 2020. On 23 September 2020, the House of Lords is due to debate a motion to annul the rules.
Total results (page 1 of 5)