This bill seeks to implement the government’s commitments to modernise the asylum and immigration systems, establish a border security command and introduce enhanced powers and offences to tackle immigration crime and people smuggling gangs. It has completed its passage in the House of Commons and is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 2 June 2025.
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and Victory over Japan Day, events which in 1945 brought an end to the second world war. On those days 80 years ago, celebrations erupted across Britain. However, world leaders and domestic politicians were aware of the numerous problems still to be tackled, such as reconstruction, demobilisation and the legacy of the development and use of the atomic bomb.
In October 2024, a House of Lords committee published a post-legislative review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The committee argued that the legislation was no longer world-leading. It suggested developments worldwide had led to the UK falling behind internationally and that recent immigration legislation had limited the act’s support infrastructure for victims. It called on government policy to recognise the difference between migrants coming to the UK willingly and victims of trafficking.
In Focus
The UK’s approach to counter-terrorism is set out in its strategy CONTEST, which includes the scheme Prevent. Following the Southport attack in July 2024, Keir Starmer said that the threat from terrorism had changed, and the government would be reviewing its counter-extremism systems and reforming programmes such as Prevent. He also said the government would change the law to respond to the new threat if needed.
In Focus
Hotel rooms are used in certain circumstances to house asylum seekers. The Home Office has said this has been necessary to meet its legal obligations to those eligible for support at times when there is not enough space across the rest of the asylum accommodation estate. However, successive governments have stated the use of hotels is temporary and it is their policy to end reliance on them. This briefing outlines the approach of various governments to meet this commitment.
In Focus
The House of Lords committee on international relations and defence has called on the government to remain alert to emerging changes in the Arctic and to regularly assess whether its strategy towards the region is “appropriately calibrated”. In a report published in 2023, the committee suggested the Arctic was experiencing significant change and was no longer a region of low-tension. It argued the situation was critical to UK interests.
In Focus
Two hundred years ago the Vagrancy Act 1824 criminalised begging and rough sleeping. These provisions are still in force today, despite long-standing calls for their repeal and government commitments to replace them. This briefing looks at the original purpose of the act and at efforts to remove it from the statute books.
In Focus
Homelessness and housing sector commentators argue that there is an undersupply of affordable housing, which they suggest is a key driver of homelessness. Successive governments have sought to address the issue of homelessness in part by increasing the supply of affordable homes and improving the quality of existing accommodation. The current government’s new taskforce on homelessness says it will seek to increase the supply and security of housing.
In Focus
The House of Lords European Affairs Committee welcomed the EU and UK response to the war in Ukraine “in general terms”. In its January 2024 report, the committee said some areas of UK-EU cooperation had been broadly effective. The committee said the report’s aim was to consider a longer-term approach and make recommendations to strengthen the UK-EU response. It called for more formal arrangements in several security and foreign policy areas.
In Focus
Universities UK has put forward proposals to reform the higher education sector to ensure that it is able to “deliver for the nation into the 2030s”. In a report published in September 2024, it called for five big shifts: expand opportunity; improve collaboration; generate local growth; secure future strength; and establish a global strategy. The government has said it would set out its plans for reform in the coming months.
Research Briefing
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL] would abolish the IfATE and transfer its functions to the secretary of state. The government has said the bill is a necessary condition for delivering on its 2024 manifesto commitment to establish Skills England as a vehicle for driving growth and opportunity. Skills England is a new arms’ length body of the Department for Education, currently in shadow form.
Research Briefing
The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL] contains measures seeking to update the UK’s product safety, regulation and metrology framework. The government says the bill aims to ensure the UK is better placed to address modern day safety issues, respond to opportunities that deliver economic growth and to deliver a level playing field for businesses operating online or on the high street.
In Focus
On 18 July 2024, the independent UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its first report, which focused on the UK’s pandemic resilience and preparedness. It contained 10 key recommendations. The chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has urged the UK government and the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to implement her recommendations promptly. On 3 September 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the inquiry’s report.
Research Briefing
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill seeks to allow the UK government to treat the CPA and the ICRC in a manner comparable to international organisations of which the UK is a member. This status change would allow the government to confer certain privileges and immunities on the two organisations. A previous version of the bill was introduced in the 2023-24 parliamentary session.
Research Briefing
Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering devolved affairs for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
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