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  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Queen’s Speech 2021: education

    Developments in the education sector have been dominated by mitigating the impacts of Covid-19, including school and university closures. In addition, the Government has announced proposals for legislative change to strengthen freedom of speech in universities and reviews covering a number of areas, such as the regulation of children’s social care, better provision for those with special educational needs and combatting sexual abuse in schools.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Queen’s Speech 2021: devolved affairs

    The Government has pledged to introduce reforms to foster a “culture of collaboration and cooperation” between the UK Government and the devolved administrations. It has stated its “steadfast commitment” to the union and to shaping its “common future”. This article discusses some of the key issues in devolved affairs that may be addressed in the forthcoming parliamentary session.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Queen’s Speech 2021: UK-EU relationship

    The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement formally entered into force on 1 May 2021, having applied provisionally since the start of the year. However, there are still aspects of the post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU that remain to be settled or fully implemented. This article looks at some key dates and deadlines likely to come up in the new parliamentary session.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Queen’s Speech 2021: digital, culture, media and sport

    The Queen’s Speech is taking place on 11 May 2021. This will set out the Government’s legislative and policy programme for the new parliamentary session. This article provides a summary of the Government’s proposals for digital, culture, media and sport that may be included in the speech.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Biodiversity

    Declines in biodiversity could lead to economic and political instability and potentially threaten the survival of life on earth. The Government has taken a range of steps to counter biodiversity loss, although measures of success are mixed. The independent Dasgupta review has recommended placing monetary values on natural capital. Two forthcoming international conferences provide opportunities for further global initiatives on biodiversity.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy

    The Government published the outcome of its year-long integrated review (IR) of foreign policy, defence, security and international development in March 2021. The IR sets out a strategic framework for achieving the UK’s national security and international policy objectives between now and 2025. The House of Lords is due to debate the IR on 22 April 2021.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    British Library Board (Power to Borrow) Bill

    The British Library Board (Power to Borrow) Bill would grant the British Library board new powers to borrow money. This private member’s bill, introduced in the House of Commons, has received cross-party support. Having completed its initial stages in the Commons on 12 March 2021, it is scheduled to be debated at second reading in the House of Lords on 19 March 2021. This article summarises the bill’s provisions and its passage through the Commons.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Food waste in the UK

    As part of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, the UK Government has committed to halving the UK’s per capita food waste by 2030. In 2018, the UK produced around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste, a 15% reduction from 2007. The Government supports several initiatives as part of its resources and waste strategy, but there have been calls for it to introduce statutory regulations to meet its targets, instead of relying on voluntary agreements.

  • House of Lords Library

    Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: World Affairs (March 2021)

    Catch up on world affairs with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month include a look at faith in Nigeria, and the lasting impact of the Arab Spring.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Fast tracked planning permission to use land as temporary inland border facilities

    The Town and Country Planning (Border Facilities and Infrastructure) (EU Exit) (England) Special Development Order 2020 (SI 2020/928) has sped up the planning process for land to be used as inland border facilities in specified areas of England. The Government stated this is necessary due to the increased border control measures needed now the UK has left the EU. On 11 February 2021, the House of Lords will debate a motion ‘regretting’ the legislation.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance rates for 2021/22

    The draft Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Uprating Regulations 2021 would set the annual rates of child tax credit and working tax credits from 6 April 2021, and the weekly rates of child benefit and guardian’s allowance from 12 April 2021. The draft regulations must be approved by Parliament before becoming law. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the regulations on 8 February 2021.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Armed Forces Act (Continuation) Order 2021

    Each year, both Houses of Parliament are required to approve legislation which allows the armed forces to continue to operate throughout the world. This statutory instrument extends the current legislation until the end of 2021. It is expected that a new Armed Forces Act will come into force before the end of the year.

  • House of Lords Library

    Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Brexit (February 2021)

    Catch up on Brexit developments with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month look at British influence post-Brexit, and trade relations between the EU and China.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    National insurance rates, limits and thresholds for 2021/22

    The draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2021 would set the national insurance contributions rates, limits and thresholds for the upcoming 2021/22 tax year. They must be approved by both Houses of Parliament before becoming law. The House of Lords is due to debate the regulations on 8 February 2021.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Impact of Brexit on UK musicians performing in the EU

    Following the end of the transition period with the EU, UK musicians can no longer travel and work freely across the EU. In some countries, such as Spain and Germany, musicians will have to apply for a work permit if they want to be paid for performances. The EU and the UK have both said that they put forward proposals to prevent this outcome, but they could not come to an agreement.

  • House of Lords Library

    In Focus

    Safeguarding the rights of the global LGBTI+ community

    Covid-19 has impacted the work of LGBTI+ organisations around the world. This article looks at a recent report by the Baring Foundation which calls for increased spending by the UK Government on global LGBTI+ rights and outlines the current spending commitments in this area.

  • House of Lords Library

    Current Affairs Digest

    Current Affairs Digest: Brexit (November 2020)

    Catch up on a selection of articles you may have missed from October and November 2020. Brexit articles this month include results from the British Social Attitudes survey, and how Australia is impacted  by the Brexit negotiations. 

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