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House of Lords Library
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on brexit articles you may have missed in May 2020, including the impact coronavirus might have on Brexit negotiations and the possibility of a trade deal between the UK and Switzerland.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
3 December 2021 is the International Day of People with Disabilities. Edward Scott explores the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on people with disabilities in the UK, including issues concerning access to services and the economic impact of the pandemic. This article also summarises the Government’s recent proposals for reform to benefits and employment support for people with disabilities.
House of Lords Library
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on social policy with a selection of articles you may have missed from September and October 2020. Articles this month take a look at foodbank use and care home visitation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
The war in Ukraine has caused a further shock to the UK economy, leading to increases in inflation from levels that were already high due to the recovery from the pandemic. Government policy responses have focused on reducing the cost of living. The Government has also made a range of legislative commitments relating to the economy and business that are likely to feature in this year’s Queen’s Speech, including measures on workers’ rights, financial services regulation and competition policy.
House of Lords Library
Current Affairs Digest
These articles consider the effect of coronavirus, first, on the UK economy; and second, on global poverty. On the UK economy it summarises two commentaries that attempt to draw lessons from the earlier pandemics, but reach different conclusions. On global poverty, it reports two estimates of the implications of the pandemic for developing countries and for the UN sustainable development goal to eliminate extreme poverty.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
With just under a month until the US presidential election, some American citizens have started casting their votes. The coronavirus pandemic has already caused disruption to previous elections held across the US this year. How might coronavirus affect the way Americans vote in November?
House of Lords Library
In Focus
This article examines the potential pressures the Covid-19 pandemic may put on policing, along with the changes that have been made to help forces manage.
House of Lords Library
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on world affairs with a selection of articles you may have missed from September 2020. Articles this month include a look at modern Brazil, and how diplomats are operating during the Covid-19 pandemic.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
This briefing provides details on government proposals for media legislation and regulation of football and the gambling sector. The government has published consultations and papers on these subjects and therefore they may come up in the 2023 King’s Speech. The briefing also links to further reading and briefly summarises other subjects that may be touched upon involving the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
The government has not signalled a specific welfare bill for the upcoming King’s Speech. However, it has committed to make some reforms to the benefits system that may require legislation. These include measures to reduce benefits fraud and error, and changes to the enforcement of child maintenance payments.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) produces estimates of the tax gap—the tax revenue HMRC should receive but does not. Its most recent estimate for 2019/20 is £35 billion, or approximately 5% of total tax liabilities. As a percentage of total taxes, the gap has been declining in recent years. The Government’s tax strategy includes measures to reduce it further. However, some commentators have argued these need more careful consideration.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
President Joe Biden began his term as US president on 20 January 2021. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and heightened security concerns, his inauguration looked different to those before. This article outlines some key information about presidential inaugurations in the US and looks at how recent events impacted this year’s ceremony.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
Fast-tracked bills are those which complete all their parliamentary stages in a shortened timescale. Reasons for using the process include correcting an error in legislation or responding to unforeseen circumstances. However, issues such as pressure on the procedural process and a lack of parliamentary scrutiny have been identified with fast-tracking. This article explores how and why bills are fast-tracked.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
The 50th anniversary of the UK’s value added tax (VAT) occurred on 1 April 2023. VAT was introduced in anticipation of the UK’s entry to the European Economic Community and has since become one of the government’s largest revenue raisers. This article examines the history of VAT and the debate about how it has developed.
House of Lords Library
Research Briefing
The social and domiciliary care sector is under huge strain as it tries to meet the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. The Government has introduced several measures, principally through the Coronavirus Act 2020, which it says are aimed to help the sector cope at such unprecedented times. However, concern has been expressed that the changes may have unintended negative consequences for some of the most vulnerable in society.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
In July 2021, the Social Mobility Commission published its annual state of the nation report. It warned that the UK has struggled with the “damaging impact” of Covid-19 and as a result social mobility which is “already stagnant” could move backwards. This article considers the findings of the report and the Government’s policy on social mobility.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
This article looks at the history of the Royal Albert Hall, opened 150 years ago this month, and the impacts on the hall of Covid-19.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
The House of Lords has no fixed number of seats, and numbers can change week by week based on those leaving or joining the House. This article provides a snapshot of membership and composition in July 2023 and statistics on appointments and departures since 2014. It also considers recent concerns about the increasing size of the House and calls for reform, including recommendations from the Lord Speaker’s committee on the size of the House.
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