The constitution by topic
Constitution includes the following topic areas. Please click the links to access lists of publications by topic:
Devolution
-
King’s Speech 2026: Devolved affairs
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about devolved affairs.
-
Draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026: Fatal motion
The draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 would make changes to three sets of assimilated regulations which concern chemicals in Great Britain. The government has said that the changes would rectify a number of issues that could not be addressed at EU exit. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on Northern Ireland, divergence from the EU, efficiency savings and further legislation.
-
Strengthening Northern Ireland’s voice in the context of the Windsor Framework: Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee report
The House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee published a report in October 2025 examining how Northern Ireland politicians and stakeholders can participate in the Windsor Framework structures. Its findings overlapped with those of an independent review of the Windsor Framework commissioned by the government. In response, the government set out how it was working to engage stakeholders and facilitate democratic scrutiny. It is also creating a new ‘one stop shop’ to help businesses understand the rules that apply under the Windsor Framework.
Elections
-
Political party finance and the Electoral Commission: Regulatory powers and proposed changes
The Electoral Commission is the regulator for political party funding in the UK. Through the Representation of the People Bill, the government is seeking to expand the commission’s civil sanctions remit and increase the fines it can impose.
-
Threats to UK democracy: Disinformation, foreign interference and declining public trust
Social media and other technologies have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for foreign powers to spread false information online aimed at undermining UK democracy. Such disinformation campaigns are one type of interference operation. In parallel, researchers have noted a link between declining public trust and societal polarisation, which can be exacerbated by online discourse. This briefing provides introductory reading to these issues, including recent reports and government announcements.
-
Recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission
Concerns about abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives have increased in recent years. The Jo Cox Civility Commission made a number of recommendations in a 2024 report to address this because of concerns that this activity would dissuade people from standing in elections and encourage existing representatives to stand down. The government has instigated a number of policies to tackle the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.
Government
-
Ministers in the House of Lords: Role and accountability to Parliament
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.
-
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.
-
Lobbying Transparency (In-house Lobbyists) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 6 of 2026–27
The Lobbying Transparency (In-house Lobbyists) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill that would widen the scope of the statutory lobbying register provided for by the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 to cover the activities of in-house lobbyists. In-house lobbyists, who lobby on behalf of their employer and are currently exempted from registering details of their activity, account for a higher proportion of lobbying than consultant lobbyists.
Local government
-
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.
-
Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 8 of session 2026–27
The Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat). The bill would establish a duty for local planning authorities in England to ensure adequate burial ground space is provided in their local area. It would also require them to set out plans for how they intend to address any shortfall in burial ground capacity.
-
Recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission
Concerns about abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives have increased in recent years. The Jo Cox Civility Commission made a number of recommendations in a 2024 report to address this because of concerns that this activity would dissuade people from standing in elections and encourage existing representatives to stand down. The government has instigated a number of policies to tackle the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.
Parliament
-
Forced labour in UK supply chains: Joint Committee on Human Rights report
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”.
-
Ending ministerial by-elections: Lords debate 1926
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.
-
Ministers in the House of Lords: Role and accountability to Parliament
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.
