This briefing provides information on current members of the House of Lords who have held selected public roles, drawing together data on experience in Parliament, government, local authorities and other areas of public life. For example, it lists those members who have served as MPs in the House of Commons or as members of the UK’s devolved legislatures, as members of the cabinet, or as senior civil servants.
National policy statements (NPSs) guide decision making for nationally significant infrastructure projects. In recent years, successive governments have worked towards designating a new fusion energy generation NPS (EN-8) for England and Wales. Currently, the government is holding a public consultation on its draft NPS which is also subject to a process of parliamentary scrutiny. This briefing provides an overview of fusion energy generation, the government’s policy in this area and its work to produce the draft NPS.
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee published its report ‘Surviving drought: Reclaim the rain’ on 21 May 2026. It observed England was on course for a public water supply deficit of 5bn litres a day by 2055, before making 17 recommendations for the government. The government responded to the report on 14 July 2026, accepting 11 of the committee’s 17 recommendations, rejecting two and partially accepting four.
In Focus
In April 2026, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee published a report on the UK’s fiscal framework which said the UK was on a path to unsustainable debt. It urged the government to introduce a rule to ensure debt falls in normal times and to commit to a larger fiscal buffer. The government said its rules strike an appropriate balance and its fiscal buffer provides flexibility against future shocks.
In Focus
The video game Grand Theft Auto 6 is predicted to be one of the biggest media releases of all time when it is released next month. The game has been partly developed in the UK. This briefing highlights the contribution of the UK video games industry to the economy and the challenges it faces, including games being developed in the UK but then published and distributed by companies based overseas.
In Focus
Undersea cables connect countries and continents and form the ‘backbone’ of the global internet. Up to 99% of the world’s telecommunications data runs through such cables, including financial transactions. The UK is reliant on such cables. However, concerns have been raised in recent years that these cables could be targeted by hostile parties, particularly in times of conflict. This briefing explores the threats posed to the UK’s undersea cables and government action to protect them.
In Focus
There is growing evidence that AI presents challenges for higher education. Students’ use of AI has prompted concerns about learning outcomes and the integrity of assessments. Meanwhile, AI is also redefining the skills required for graduate jobs. This briefing reviews the evidence and key arguments surrounding the ongoing debate on whether university degrees remain valuable in the age of AI.
In Focus
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published its report on regulation and economic growth in May 2026. The report identified a lack of clarity in the government’s plans for how regulators should support growth and recommended clearer guidance, potential legislative reform, better measurement of regulatory costs and improved coordination with regulators. The government responded to the committee in July 2026.
In Focus
Overnight visitor levies, also known as ‘tourist taxes’, are being implemented in several European countries to raise funds for cities. This briefing examines responses to tourist taxes in various European cities and plans to introduce a comparable levy in England.
In Focus
This briefing looks back 80 years to a House of Lords debate on the bill that proposed the setting up of the National Health Service. In committee, the House passed an amendment about doctors’ pay that illustrates a long-standing principle that remains today, taking in issues around doctors’ professional autonomy and the relationship between medicine and the state.
In Focus
The government has announced plans for a new community sponsorship route for refugee resettlement. Sponsors would be responsible for providing refugees with accommodation, integration support and help finding work. Applications for charities and non-profits to become sponsors are due to open in October 2026. The government has not yet announced how many refugees it expects to admit through this route or what support may be available to sponsors.
In Focus
The disability benefits system in England and Wales has been criticised by several parliamentary committees and by campaigners. The 2024 Labour Party manifesto included several proposals for reform, and these proposals are currently being assessed by two reviews commissioned by the Starmer government. This briefing outlines the main benefits and support schemes available to disabled people and carers in England and Wales, the impact of the current system, and proposals for reform.
In Focus
This briefing examines the role of the United Nations and the UK in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. It outlines recent UN reforms to its peacebuilding architecture, assesses the UK’s approach and funding commitments, and considers debates about the effectiveness of international efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace amid rising global instability and pressure on development budgets.
In Focus
The House of Lords is due to debate a select committee report on the Malvern Hills Bill [HL] on 29 October 2026. This private bill, introduced in the 2024–26 session, would consolidate the law governing the Malvern Hills Trust and make some changes to the trust’s governance and powers. Following a high number of petitions against the bill, the committee made some amendments. The bill cannot progress this session unless both Houses agree to revive it.
In Focus
Screens, social media and AI are a key and increasingly common part of children and young people’s lives. The use of these technologies may include both positive and negative effects, with concerns focused on the overall impact on young people’s health, development and safety. The government has announced it will introduce new guidance and restrictions to attempt to tackle these issues, including plans for a ban on under-16s using social media.
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