Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering welfare and pensions for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
King’s Speech 2024: Welfare and pensions (335 KB , PDF)
This briefing sets out the commitments in the Labour Party’s 2024 general election manifesto on welfare and pensions. It covers commitments on disability benefits, a review of universal credit, and child poverty. On pensions, it covers the commitment to retain the state pension triple lock, to reform private pensions, and to review the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme arrangements.
The Library’s briefings for the King’s Speech draw on the Labour Party’s manifesto and other material in the public domain. They have been written in advance of the 2024 King’s Speech to help members of the House of Lords prepare for the debate on the speech. They do not constitute official information about the government’s intentions or provide a complete list of bills to be announced.
King’s Speech 2024: Welfare and pensions (335 KB , PDF)
On 9 March, the Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025 took place to mark five years since the start of the pandemic in the UK. This briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate in the House of Lords focused on the support available to those bereaved because of Covid-19. It outlines the help available for families and sets out background information on the Covid-19 Day of Reflection, as well as the UK Covid-19 inquiry.
The government introduced the Finance Bill in the House of Lords on 4 March 2025. The House is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading and all remaining stages on 19 March 2025.
Over the last three decades, the number of bank branches in the UK has declined due to advances in technology and changing customer habits. Stakeholders have argued that these closures have negatively affected rural communities. In recent years, successive governments and the Financial Conduct Authority have taken action aimed at ensuring sufficient access to banking services, including for rural communities. This briefing provides an overview of these measures, as well as information on the number of bank closures and their impact on rural communities.
