This House of Lords Library briefing provides information in support of the House of Lords consideration of the Policing Resources Bill [HL].
Policing Resources Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (159 KB , PDF)
The Policing Resources Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru). It would amend the Police Act 1996 to include various criteria the Government must consider when determining the annual police grant. It would also set up a new independent body to review and report annually on the adequacy of the police grant. Lord Wigley introduced the bill in the House of Lords on 6 July 2017. It is due to have its second reading on 6 September 2019.
Police forces in England and Wales receive their funding through a variety of sources. However, each force’s main source is an annual central government grant. The Government may exercise discretion in deciding how much funding each force receives, but since 2014 has used the police allocation formula (PAF).
For the 2019/20 fiscal year, the Home Office announced that the total police funding settlement will be up to £14 billion. This is an increase of £970 million compared to 2018/19. According to the Government, this figure represents the largest increase seen since 2010. The settlement was welcomed by some, including the chief executive of the College of Policing, Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for finance, Chief Constable Dave Thompson. However, others, such as the Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, and the chair of the Police Federation, John Apter, criticised the announcement, arguing that the settlement sum was not enough.
Policing Resources Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (159 KB , PDF)
The Hares (Closed Season) Bill [HL] would create a closed season during which it would be an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take any hare between 1 February to 30 September each year. It would also repeal the Hares Preservation Act 1892.
![Hares (Close Season) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 52 of 2024–25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Agriculture-and-farming-568x426.png)
The US has announced significant increases in tariffs on imports, although has delayed full implementation. Many economists view tariffs unfavourably, arguing that they raise prices, reduce competition and risk retaliation. But others suggest that tariffs may benefit the country that applies them. UK exports to the US face an additional 10% tariff. This could be negative for UK exports and the economy. But there could be some upsides for the UK if the US goes ahead with higher “reciprocal” tariffs on many of the UK’s competitors.
UK prime ministers may draw up a resignation honours list on their departure from office, in which they may request that the reigning monarch grant honours to any number of people. Such honours may include peerages, knighthoods and damehoods, or other awards. However, not all have chosen to draw up such a list. This briefing lists those prime ministers who have requested that peerages be conferred on their departure from office.
