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)
Public services productivity in the UK fell sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic and is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. The Conservative government pledged new investment in an attempt to boost the effectiveness of public services prior to the general election. The new Labour government has also placed emphasis on this issue and has indicated further measures will be set out in the forthcoming budget statement.
A recent paper about UK foreign policy called for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to “modernise the working environment to set a future oriented culture”. It described the FCDO’s physical surroundings as “somewhat elitist and rooted in the past”. This briefing looks back at Lords Hansard to chart the House’s response to more radical plans in the 1960s that proposed a new foreign office building, which later formed part of a wider scheme for the redevelopment of Whitehall.
In light of the UK government’s recent proposals to reform the House of Lords, this briefing presents facts and figures comparing the House of Lords with other second chambers around the world.
