The Consumer Rights Bill makes provision for the reform of consumer law in the UK and connected areas of law. This Note summarises the Bill’s report stage and third reading in the House of Commons.
Consumer Rights Bill (HL Bill 29 of 2014–15) (286 KB , PDF)
The Consumer Rights Bill makes provision for the reform of consumer law in the UK. The aim of the Bill is to reduce complexity and ambiguity in UK law and bring consumer law up to date with modern digital means of transaction. The Bill would establish a series of basic rights for consumers to a minimum quality of goods and services, and seeks to establish which contract terms can and cannot be challenged in the courts on grounds of fairness. There are also provisions in the Bill intended to consolidate the powers of consumer law enforcers and to enable small companies and consumers to pursue, through the Competition Appeal Tribunal, private actions under contract law against companies. This Note summarises the Bill’s report stage and third reading in the House of Commons.
Consumer Rights Bill (HL Bill 29 of 2014–15) (286 KB , PDF)
The Government’s ‘green book’ is guidance on how to appraise public sector policies, programmes and projects. In January 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced a review of the green book. The review’s conclusions were published in June 2025 and are designed to improve the effectiveness of public sector appraisal. The Treasury will release an updated green book in early 2026.
The UK crafts sector encompasses a range of artisan activities that depend on expert hand skills. Official statistics show that crafts account for a relatively small share of economic activity and employment, although these estimates may understate the sector’s actual contributions. Crafts are supported by public funding and are being preserved and passed on through a variety of initiatives. However, the sector faces structural, economic and cultural challenges.
In September 2024 the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee launched an inquiry into the scaleup challenges facing startup enterprises working with artificial intelligence (AI) and creative technology. In a report published in February 2025, the committee warned the UK risked becoming an incubator economy where UK startups developed innovative products and services before selling out or moving abroad. This briefing summarises the report’s recommendations and the government’s response.
