Reducing gambling harm among young people

Concerns have been raised about the impact of gambling on children and young people, particularly in relation to online gambling and exposure to advertising. This briefing summarises current regulatory protections for children and vulnerable people in the way gambling is licensed in Great Britain, statistics on gambling participation and gambling harms among children and young adults, and proposals from campaigners, parliamentarians and the government to reduce gambling-related harm.

Reducing gambling harm among young people

Digital and technology policy and national sovereignty

Digital sovereignty has become a pressing policy issue as governments seek to balance economic opportunity, security and control over critical technologies. Particular concerns have been raised over the market dominance in several key areas by a small number of powerful companies, predominantly headquartered in the United States and China. Debate has focused on how the UK can adapt to this changing environment and to what extent it should seek to expand its own sovereign capabilities and to regulate overseas providers, whilst sustaining international collaboration.

Digital and technology policy and national sovereignty

Creative industries: Potential impact of T-levels, V-levels and post-16 qualification reforms

The government is introducing new V-levels and expanding T-levels as part of post-16 qualification reforms. The government has said the changes will simplify routes into employment and higher education and enable vocational study to sit alongside A-levels. However, stakeholders have questioned whether the new qualifications will meet the needs of the creative sector and students looking to enter the creative industries.

Creative industries: Potential impact of T-levels, V-levels and post-16 qualification reforms

  • Research Briefing

    Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill [HL]: HL Bill 9 of 2026–27

    The Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill is a private member’s bill introduced in the House of Lords. It would make it an offence for a person deployed as a covert human intelligence source (CHIS) to engage in an intimate sexual relationship with any person they have been deployed to target, who is a member of the group they have been deployed to target, or whom they encounter during their deployment.

  • In Focus

    Homelessness and rough sleeping among released prisoners

    In 2024/25, around 1,000 prisoners a month were released from prison homeless and went on to rough sleep in England and Wales. This briefing summarises the statistics on homelessness among those released from prison, the early prison release schemes, and the statutory duties on prisons to refer those at risk of homelessness to local authority housing services.

  • In Focus

    Education, employment and welfare: Government policy

    Since taking office, the government has announced a range of policies intended to support economic growth, increase employment, to expand the number of young people in education and training and to reform the welfare system. This briefing provides an overview of key government commitments in the areas of education, employment and welfare. It also provides key statistics.

  • Research Briefing

    Genocide Determination Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2026–27

    The bill would enable the High Court in England and Wales, the Court of Session in Scotland and the High Court in Northern Ireland, to make preliminary determinations on whether a genocide is occurring overseas, or if there is deemed to be a serious risk of one occurring. The bill would require the government to refer the preliminary determination to international bodies such as the International Court of Justice.

  • Research Briefing

    Rights of Boat Dwellers Bill [HL]: HL Bill 16 of 2026–27

    The Rights of Boat Dwellers Bill [HL] would establish a right to access public services for boat dwellers and prevent relevant authorities from taking certain actions­—such as eviction proceedings—that might infringe on the right to a secure home or the right to access public services.

  • Research Briefing

    Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill: HL Bill 38 of 2026–27

    The Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill is a money bill that would implement three tax measures as part of the government’s package of support to tackle increased energy prices. The bill would increase the electricity generator levy, increase the rate of tax-free mileage allowance for employees, and provide a 12-month vehicle excise duty exemption for HGVs.

  • In Focus

    Proposed legislation on defence readiness and national resilience

    The 2025 strategic defence review recommended the government bring forward a defence readiness bill to provide for powers to mobilise reserves and industry should crisis escalate into conflict. Amid criticism that such a measure was not included in the May 2026 King’s Speech, the government has indicated it will introduce a bill later in the current parliament. There have been calls for the bill to cover national resilience matters more broadly when it is introduced.

  • In Focus

    Ukraine’s decentralisation reforms

    Even as the war in the country continues, Ukraine has implemented significant reform and decentralisation of its public sector in an attempt to improve effectiveness as well as local and regional participation, accountability, and growth. Observers suggest Ukraine has made notable progress in these areas, but considerable obstacles remain. Addressing these challenges could, they argue, be key to Ukraine’s resilience and post-war recovery.

  • In Focus

    Impact of cuts to official development assistance on women and girls

    The UK has reduced official development assistance (ODA) from 0.7% of gross national income in 2020 to a planned 0.3% by 2027. This briefing examines the government's approach to supporting women and girls within a reduced aid budget, recent changes to ODA allocations, and assessments of the implications for women and girls.

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