Our research on the constitution - House of Lords Library

The constitution by topic

Constitution includes the following topic areas. Please click the links to access lists of publications by topic:

Current Affairs Digest: Economics (May 2021)

Catch up on economics articles you may have missed. This month we take an in-depth look at the funding of devolved governments.
- Devolution
- Economy
Queen’s Speech 2021: devolved affairs

The Government has pledged to introduce reforms to foster a “culture of collaboration and cooperation” between the UK Government and the devolved administrations. It has stated its “steadfast commitment” to the union and to shaping its “common future”. This article discusses some of the key issues in devolved affairs that may be addressed in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
Current Affairs Digest: Economics (March 2021)

Catch up on economics articles you may have missed. This month we take an in-depth look at the economics of Scottish independence.

Current Affairs Digest: Constitution (May 2021)

Catch up on parliamentary and constitutional developments with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month look at the politics of the campaign trial, and mark ten years since the referendum on the alternative vote electoral system.
Women in elected office in the UK

Following the election in 2019, the highest number of female MPs were elected to Parliament. This In Focus looks at the current levels of women in politics in the UK, including in the devolved administrations and local government. It then outlines some potential barriers to increased female participation and details some developments that have been made in this area in the last couple of years.
Raising election spending limits in line with inflation

The Government recently announced plans to uprate the spending limits which apply to both candidates and national parties during elections, to reflect inflation. Initially the changes will apply to the local council elections in England, due to take place in May 2021. The Government has also indicated that it would consult on changes to other polls.
- Elections

New powers for HMRC

The Government has proposed new powers for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to address tax avoidance, enhance information gathering, and improve tax compliance. These measures were the subject of a report from the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill subcommittee, which found that some of these powers were both disproportionate and poorly targeted.
- Economy
- Government
Genocide: bringing perpetrators to justice

The global community has made commitments to combat and prevent crimes of genocide for several years. This article looks at what genocide is, international agreements to prevent genocide that the UK is signed up to, and recent parliamentary discussion during the Trade Bill.
Current Affairs Digest: Constitution (May 2021)

Catch up on parliamentary and constitutional developments with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month look at the politics of the campaign trial, and mark ten years since the referendum on the alternative vote electoral system.

Environment Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

The Environment Bill would establish a new environmental governance system, including the setting of long-term targets and the creation of an Office for Environmental Protection. It also includes measures on improving air quality, waste management and recycling, water management, biodiversity and conservation covenants. The bill is due to have it second reading in the House of Lords on 7 June 2021, having been carried over from the last session.
Motions on recent changes to planning rules

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2021 introduces several changes to the local planning framework. It makes it easier to convert a wider range of commercial buildings to residential use; allows further development of schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, prisons and ports; and implements a ‘retain and explain’ policy for certain statues, memorials and monuments. The House of Lords is set to debate motions to reject or ‘regret’ the changes.
Queen’s Speech 2021: housing, communities and local government

Ahead of the Queen’s Speech on 11 May 2021, this briefing outlines previous government policy commitments for housing, communities, and local government. It also examines potential legislation to be introduced in the upcoming parliamentary session.
- Housing
- Local Government

Finance Bill

The Finance Bill is a government bill intended to give lasting statutory effect to the tax measures announced in the March 2021 budget. The bill underwent a series of changes in its passage through the House of Commons. The House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee criticised a draft of the bill in some specific areas. The Government accepted some of the committee’s recommendations but rejected others.
House of Lords: remote participation and hybrid proceedings

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Lords agreed to introduce virtual participation in debates to allow for social distancing and help prevent the spread of the virus. It has also introduced remote voting in divisions. This In Focus article considers the impact of these changes. It also summarises the discussions over how long these changes should be retained.
House of Lords: timeline of response to Covid-19 pandemic

The House of Lords made several changes to its procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic. This included the use of virtual sittings and sittings which featured both physical and remote participation. This article provides a chronology of these developments.