The idea of civil service impartiality, defined as the ability to serve the government of the day without fear or favour, is one of the core values promoted by the civil service code. The cabinet secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, has recently announced plans to update the code but at the same time reiterated that impartiality remains integral to the work of the civil service.
Andy Burnham became UK prime minister on 20 July 2026. Since then, the government has made a series of policy announcements and has provided an indication of its political priorities, particularly regarding the devolution of powers to local areas. This briefing summarises those announcements ahead of a debate in the House of Lords on the government’s political and legislative plans.
The Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] is a wide-ranging bill that aims to reform the way the UK financial services sector is regulated. This briefing provides a summary of the bill’s second reading and committee stage in the House of Lords ahead of its further consideration at report.
![Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL]: Progress in the Lords](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/tadas-petrokas-G7nWQwb6AP4-unsplash-1232x693.jpg)
In Focus
Digital sovereignty has become a pressing policy issue as governments seek to balance economic opportunity, security and control over critical technologies. Particular concerns have been raised over the market dominance in several key areas by a small number of powerful companies, predominantly headquartered in the United States and China. Debate has focused on how the UK can adapt to this changing environment and to what extent it should seek to expand its own sovereign capabilities and to regulate overseas providers, whilst sustaining international collaboration.
In Focus
Even as the war in the country continues, Ukraine has implemented significant reform and decentralisation of its public sector in an attempt to improve effectiveness as well as local and regional participation, accountability, and growth. Observers suggest Ukraine has made notable progress in these areas, but considerable obstacles remain. Addressing these challenges could, they argue, be key to Ukraine’s resilience and post-war recovery.
In Focus
The House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee has examined the UK’s potential role in emerging economic opportunities presented by the growth of space exploration and commercialisation. To harness these opportunities, the committee said that the UK’s space sector requires clearer strategic direction, an updated funding structure, and better cross-government working. It called on ministers to champion the space sector as crucial to future economic growth and national resilience.
Research Briefing
The National Security (State Threats) Bill would create new powers for the home secretary to designate bodies engaged in state threat activity, equivalent to the proscription of terrorist organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000. The bill would create three new offences associated with designation of supporting, assisting, or receiving material benefit from a designated body. These offences would carry sentences of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
In Focus
The government argues that a next generation of new towns is necessary in England to drive economic growth and tackle housing shortages. The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has published two reports on the government’s new towns programme, calling for strong leadership and dedicated resources to ensure the programme can deliver on its ambitious targets.
Research Briefing
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 on defence.
Research Briefing
The government delivered its spring forecast statement on 3 March 2026, accompanied by the latest Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts for the UK economy. Meanwhile, the House of Commons concluded scrutiny of the Finance (No. 2) Bill on 11 March 2026. The bill would implement many of the taxation measures announced in the November 2025 budget. The House of Lords will consider both the statement and bill on 17 March 2026.
In Focus
New government regulations would designate UK life sciences facilities as key national infrastructure, extending police powers to act against protest activity at such facilities. The government argues the changes are necessary to protect these sites from ongoing disruptive activity, much of which is directed against the use of animals in scientific research. Campaigners have criticised the plans as an infringement on the right to protest and unnecessary legislative overreach.
In Focus
The role of private equity in the UK economy has grown significantly in recent years. Observers debate whether this has been a positive development or has had a negative impact on businesses and key sectors of the economy. This article provides an overview of private equity and its role in the UK economy.
In Focus
Medical nuclear radioisotopes are used in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of health conditions. The UK has no domestic supply of the majority of radioisotopes needed by the health service, and many of the facilities responsible for global supply are several decades old. The UK government has said it is in regular contact with stakeholders and working to better understand the shape of future supply.
In Focus
2025 has seen a significant evolution of the war in Ukraine as new and emerging technologies continue to alter the shape of the battlefield. At the same time, diplomatic efforts to find a solution have continued as the US under President Donald Trump has prioritised a negotiated settlement. The UK and other European nations have continued to declare their support for Ukraine and have sought to aid the country through stepping up supplies of military aid and industrial support.
In Focus
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. Established in the aftermath of the second world war, the UN was created with a mission of maintaining peace and security, and promoting international cooperation, with the hope it could help prevent another devastating global conflict. Since then, the UN has grown into a large transnational organisation with a broader remit, including promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights. This briefing examines the composition of the modern UN and recent attempts at reform.
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