This House of Lords Library Briefing Pack contains a selection of material relevant for the forthcoming question for short debate on what plans Her Majesty's Government have to extend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to contractors and other organisations exercising public functions.
Freedom of Information Act 2000: Extending to Contractors and Other Organisations Exercising Public Functions (206 KB , PDF)
Freedom of Information Act 2000: Extending to Contractors and Other Organisations Exercising Public Functions (206 KB , PDF)
The Education (Assemblies) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat). It would repeal the requirement for schools in England without a designated religious character to provide daily acts of collective religious worship. In its place, the bill would establish a new duty to provide non-religious assemblies which develop the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural education of pupils.
![Education (Assemblies) Bill [HL]:HL Bill 35 of 2024-25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/Government-VIGS-568x426.jpg)
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.
The Conservative government set an expectation that civil servants spend at least 60% of their working week at a government building or on official business. The Labour government has maintained this expectation due to the “clear benefits of face-to-face working”. Some civil servants have raised concerns about the 60% office attendance mandate, including civil servants in HM Land Registry who have recently voted in favour of strike action.
