This page lists all of our research across our publication types.
Home ownership in England has fallen by 6% since 2003. The ratio of average house prices to earnings has risen significantly and many people who would like to buy a home cannot. The reasons for the increase in unaffordability are debated and include foreign investment, cheap credit and insufficient housebuilding. The government has committed to delivering 1.5mn new homes by the end of the parliament, supported by planning reforms and investment in affordable housing.
The UK parcel delivery market is competitive, with Ofcom regulating postal services and monitoring operators’ performance. Recent evidence shows generally high consumer satisfaction but highlights persistent delivery problems, alongside concerns over accessibility and customer service. The government has said delivery operators should improve service standards, while recognising their operational independence. Ofcom has stated that it continues to monitor the sector, issue guidance and take enforcement action where necessary.
The Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] is a wide-ranging bill that aims to reform the way the UK financial services sector is regulated. This briefing provides a summary of the bill’s second reading and committee stage in the House of Lords ahead of its further consideration at report.
![Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL]: Progress in the Lords](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/tadas-petrokas-G7nWQwb6AP4-unsplash-1232x693.jpg)
In Focus
Research using large-scale patient datasets has enabled advances in healthcare. However, scientists and data controllers face challenges including fragmented systems, complex governance and data security. While members of the public are largely in favour of their information being used to improve health outcomes, concerns remain about data breaches and commercial interests. Through the creation of the Health Data Research Service, the government aims to simplify access to health data and support innovation.
In Focus
In July 2025, the Joint Committee on Human Rights published a report contending that goods which are produced or part-produced with forced labour are being sold to consumers in the UK. It also argued that the UK had fallen behind comparable countries in its approach to tackling forced labour. The committee called for new legislation to address the issue. The government responded that it was “actively exploring options to strengthen protections”.
In Focus
While energy demand has grown at a steady rate for most of the past decade overall, the global energy market has been affected by several shocks including the Covid-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. This briefing looks at global energy consumption and the issues which affect energy prices around the world.
Data dashboard
This page provides interactive data on the creation of life peerages in the House of Lords.
In Focus
Public debt in the UK has risen since the 2008 global financial crisis, and interest payments on that debt have increased substantially. This briefing examines three broad perspectives on public debt: first, that high public debt poses a risk to economic growth; second, that deficit financing can be beneficial and the cost of public debt is lower than generally assumed; and third, that the government’s role as a currency issuer allows for a new perspective on public debt.
In Focus
Whilst layperson jury trials have been a longstanding feature of the England and Wales criminal justice system, some countries have taken a different approach. If enacted, the Courts and Tribunals Bill would remove jury trials for some criminal cases in England and Wales. This briefing identifies some different approaches taken in other countries in light of the recent proposals for court reform in England and Wales.
In Focus
In January 2026, the government set out comprehensive reforms to policing in England and Wales. These included proposals aimed at the police workforce, such as the introduction of a licence to practise, changes to the rules on vetting and dismissal and new policies aimed at improving the wellbeing of officers. This briefing examines the government’s workforce plans and the reaction of some stakeholders.
In Focus
The recent King’s Speech confirmed plans to lower the voting age to 16. A century earlier, Parliament examined proposals for a very different constitutional change: ending ministerial by-elections. Introduced in the 18th century as a safeguard against crown influence, ministerial by-elections were later viewed by some as outdated. For others, they were an important democratic safeguard. This briefing examines the Lords second reading debate on the bill that abolished the by-elections.
In Focus
Ministers are needed in the House of Lords to take legislation through the House and answer for the government during questions and debates. Some cabinet ministers are appointed from the Lords. For example, the leader of the House of Lords is always a member of the Lords. This briefing looks at the role of ministers in the House of Lords and how they are scrutinised.
In Focus
The right for hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords has come to an end. This briefing lists the last hereditary peers sitting in the House of Lords when the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act passed into law in March 2026, together with their length of service as a hereditary member. It also notes those who have returned to the House as life peers.
In Focus
In December 2025, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee published a report on preparing for an ageing society. It urged the government to address the economic challenges this poses, arguing that the greatest impact would come from supporting those in their mid-50s to mid-60s to remain in or return to work. The government said it was responding to the pressures of an ageing society through a number of measures.
In Focus
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.
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