Proposed national policy statement for fusion energy generation

National policy statements (NPSs) guide decision making for nationally significant infrastructure projects. In recent years, successive governments have worked towards designating a new fusion energy generation NPS (EN-8) for England and Wales. Currently, the government is holding a public consultation on its draft NPS which is also subject to a process of parliamentary scrutiny. This briefing provides an overview of fusion energy generation, the government’s policy in this area and its work to produce the draft NPS.

Proposed national policy statement for fusion energy generation

Surviving drought: Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee published its report ‘Surviving drought: Reclaim the rain’ on 21 May 2026. It observed England was on course for a public water supply deficit of 5bn litres a day by 2055, before making 17 recommendations for the government. The government responded to the report on 14 July 2026, accepting 11 of the committee’s 17 recommendations, rejecting two and partially accepting four.

Surviving drought: Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report

  • Research Briefing

    Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill: HL Bill 61 of 2026–27

    The bill would end historic restrictions on Catholic or Jewish ministers advising the sovereign on Church of England or Church of Scotland appointments or making appointments themselves. Andy Burnham is the UK’s first Catholic prime minister. MPs generally supported the bill, which passed through the House of Commons without amendment.

  • In Focus

    Fortifying the fiscal framework: Lords Economic Affairs Committee report

    In April 2026, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee published a report on the UK’s fiscal framework which said the UK was on a path to unsustainable debt. It urged the government to introduce a rule to ensure debt falls in normal times and to commit to a larger fiscal buffer. The government said its rules strike an appropriate balance and its fiscal buffer provides flexibility against future shocks.

  • In Focus

    UK video games industry: Overview

    The video game Grand Theft Auto 6 is predicted to be one of the biggest media releases of all time when it is released next month. The game has been partly developed in the UK. This briefing highlights the contribution of the UK video games industry to the economy and the challenges it faces, including games being developed in the UK but then published and distributed by companies based overseas.

  • In Focus

    Undersea cables: Threats to the UK’s infrastructure

    Undersea cables connect countries and continents and form the ‘backbone’ of the global internet. Up to 99% of the world’s telecommunications data runs through such cables, including financial transactions. The UK is reliant on such cables. However, concerns have been raised in recent years that these cables could be targeted by hostile parties, particularly in times of conflict. This briefing explores the threats posed to the UK’s undersea cables and government action to protect them.

  • In Focus

    Is AI weakening the value of a university degree?

    There is growing evidence that AI presents challenges for higher education. Students’ use of AI has prompted concerns about learning outcomes and the integrity of assessments. Meanwhile, AI is also redefining the skills required for graduate jobs. This briefing reviews the evidence and key arguments surrounding the ongoing debate on whether university degrees remain valuable in the age of AI.

  • In Focus

    Regulators’ role in growth: Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report

    The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published its report on regulation and economic growth in May 2026. The report identified a lack of clarity in the government’s plans for how regulators should support growth and recommended clearer guidance, potential legislative reform, better measurement of regulatory costs and improved coordination with regulators. The government responded to the committee in July 2026.

  • In Focus

    Hansard archive: General practitioners’ pay in the new NHS

    This briefing looks back 80 years to a House of Lords debate on the bill that proposed the setting up of the National Health Service. In committee, the House passed an amendment about doctors’ pay that illustrates a long-standing principle that remains today, taking in issues around doctors’ professional autonomy and the relationship between medicine and the state.

  • In Focus

    Resettlement of refugees through community sponsorship

    The government has announced plans for a new community sponsorship route for refugee resettlement. Sponsors would be responsible for providing refugees with accommodation, integration support and help finding work. Applications for charities and non-profits to become sponsors are due to open in October 2026. The government has not yet announced how many refugees it expects to admit through this route or what support may be available to sponsors.

  • In Focus

    Personal independence payment and other disability benefits and linked schemes

    The disability benefits system in England and Wales has been criticised by several parliamentary committees and by campaigners. The 2024 Labour Party manifesto included several proposals for reform, and these proposals are currently being assessed by two reviews commissioned by the Starmer government. This briefing outlines the main benefits and support schemes available to disabled people and carers in England and Wales, the impact of the current system, and proposals for reform.

  • Research Briefing

    Courts and Tribunals Bill: HL Bill 57 of 2026–27

    The Courts and Tribunals Bill would introduce various reforms to courts and tribunals in England and Wales. The government said the measures would help reduce the court delays and improve efficiency, however proposals affecting jury trials, magistrates’ courts and appeal rights have proved controversial during the bill’s passage through the House of Commons. Its second reading in the House of Lords is due to take place on 27 October 2026.

  • In Focus

    Conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding: Role of the UN and UK

    This briefing examines the role of the United Nations and the UK in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. It outlines recent UN reforms to its peacebuilding architecture, assesses the UK’s approach and funding commitments, and considers debates about the effectiveness of international efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace amid rising global instability and pressure on development budgets.

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