This Lords Library briefing has been prepared in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Bill on 11 July 2017.
Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Bill (2 MB , PDF)
The Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Bill would make provision for members of the Armed Forces to work part-time or to restrict the amount of time they spend separated from their normal place of work. In the background briefing to the Queen’s Speech, the Government stated that the purpose of this Bill is to “support recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces”.
Clause 1of the Bill would amend section 329 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which addresses the terms and conditions of enlistment and service. Clause 2 covers amendments to other acts resulting from the Bill, ensuring that anyone benefitting from the working arrangements provided for in the Bill would be automatically excluded from jury service, a protection which currently only applies to full-time members of the regular Armed Forces.
The government-prepared briefing on the Bill states that the Government expects to introduce the changes by April 2019.
The Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 28 June 2017 and is scheduled for second reading on 11 July 2017.
Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Bill (2 MB , PDF)
The Falklands War took place between April and June 1982, following an invasion of the Islands by the Argentine military junta. This briefing has been prepared to mark the 35th anniversary of the Falklands War. It provides background to the British and Argentine Governments' claim to sovereignty over the Islands; a summary of the events of the war; and an overview of recent political developments.
Conflict over sovereignty rights to the Falkland Islands has been ongoing for centuries. In the modern era this dispute has been between the United Kingdom and Argentina, which escalated into war 40 years ago, when Argentina invaded the Islands. This article examines the competing sovereignty claims over the Falkland Islands.
On 6 July 2022, the British and US intelligence services jointly said China would pose the biggest security threat facing the West over the next decade. Relations between China and the UK have deteriorated in recent years and experts have expressed concern over Chinese ambitions in several areas. This article provides a brief overview of recent UK-China relations and those security threats.
