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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
There have been a number of high-profile announcements regarding education in the last year, such as proposed changes to A-levels and T-levels announced in October 2023. However, it is unclear when these measures will be introduced. Elements of the Schools Bill, abandoned during the 2022–23 parliamentary session, will likely be included in the 2023 King’s Speech. Notably, the government has indicated it intends to introduce a register of children not in school.
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
In Focus
In 2020 and 2021 the House of Lords Covid-19 Committee conducted an inquiry into the long-term impact of people living more of their lives online as a result of the pandemic. This article summarises the committee’s findings and the government’s response to its report ahead of a House of Lords debate on the report.
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.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
Economic growth is considered important due to the role it plays in providing jobs and improving living standards. But productivity growth, a key driver of higher living standards, has slowed in the UK since 2008. With high inflation now impacting living standards, increased attention is being paid to understanding and tackling the productivity slowdown. The House of Lords is due to debate the UK economy on 29 June 2023.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
In 2017, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) published a report following the death of Averil Hart, a 19-year-old with anorexia. It concluded that Averil’s death had been avoidable, linking it to failings in NHS eating disorder services. During the coronavirus pandemic there was an increase in demand for eating disorder services, particularly among young people. The House of Lords is due to debate the progress made in implementing the PHSO report’s recommendations.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
The creative industries sector is a significant contributor to the UK economy and freelancers comprise a large proportion of its workforce. While many freelancers can benefit from the flexibility of self-employment, they can also lose entitlements to a range of workplace rights. Concerns have been raised about the impact on creative freelancers of the UK’s post-Covid recovery. Some organisations in the creative sector have called for the appointment of a freelancers’ commissioner to advocate for the rights of freelancers.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
In recent years, there has been a series of high-profile cases of gross misconduct and illegal behaviour by police officers. The government and policing bodies have recognised this has led to a loss of public trust and confidence in the police. This article examines some of the key inquiries into police standards and culture and discusses some of the commitments made by politicians and the police to restore public trust.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
In 2022 music, performance and visual arts contributed an estimated £11.5bn to the UK economy. The government supports the performing arts primarily through Arts Council England (ACE), which received £943mn from the government and National Lottery in 2021/22. To support its levelling up agenda, the government has asked ACE to distribute more of its funding outside London.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
This article explores the impact of cost of living pressures on housing costs. Higher inflation, interest rates and rents, coupled with a decline in average real-terms earnings, have increased housing costs for many people. Evidence suggests that the impact is being felt across all housing tenure types, but that tenants in the private and social rented sectors have been most adversely affected.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
In December 2021, the House of Lords Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee published a report which examined the UK’s approach to risk assessment and management. It found that the Covid-19 pandemic had revealed that the UK’s risk management system was “deficient” and “too inflexible” to protect the country from risks. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the report on 12 January 2023. This article examines the report and the government’s response.
House of Lords Library
Current Affairs Digest
From brain transplants to moon exploration, this article covers two of the biggest science updates of recent months.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
The House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee identified six main “longstanding drivers” of youth unemployment: skills gaps and shortages; access to careers advice; the further education system; availability of apprenticeships; support for disadvantaged groups; and coordination between government departments. The committee stated that the Covid-19 pandemic had made the situation worse, especially for those disadvantaged groups already facing additional barriers. This article summarises the findings and recommendations of the committee.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
The horseracing industry faces several challenges, including falling average attendances and lower prize money levels compared with international competitors. This article briefly outlines these challenges, and discusses the financial support made available to the industry, particularly through the horseracing betting levy.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
Long Covid is commonly used to describe the symptoms that persist or develop four weeks after contracting Covid-19. With no evidence-based treatment available for long Covid, the condition has impacted the health and employment of people suffering from it. To tackle the challenges presented by the condition, Boris Johnson’s government announced funding to NHS England to support those with long Covid. It has also funded research studies to better understand the condition. Additionally, people suffering from long Covid may be eligible for existing benefits, such as universal credit and personal independent payment.
House of Lords Library
In Focus
This article presents statistics and information on violent crime, burglaries and gang activity in England and Wales ahead of a House of Lords debate on 20 October 2022. It also provides details on and reaction to the government’s attempts to address these issues, including its ‘beating crime plan’ and efforts to increase police numbers.
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