Economy and business by topic
Economy and business includes the following topic areas. Please click the links to access lists of publications by topic:
Business
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Modern slavery in UK supply chains
Concerns have been raised about modern slavery and forced labour in the supply chains of UK businesses. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 places duties on companies to report on the steps they are taking to eradicate slavery from their business. This article analyses the impact of the reporting requirements and the progress the Government has made in meeting its commitments to strengthen the act’s provisions.
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European Union Committee report—Beyond Brexit: Food, Environment, Energy and Health
What impact will the UK’s new relationship with the EU have on food, the environment, energy and health? This article examines key findings of a House of Lords committee that looked at this topic earlier this year, as well as the Government’s response, ahead of a debate on 15 November 2021.
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Current Affairs Digest: Economics (October 2021)
Catch up on developments in economics with a selection of articles you may have missed. This month we take a look at unemployment benefits in recessions, and green initiatives in public finance.
Economy
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BBC: Value to the UK and wider global audiences
This briefing has been prepared in advance of a House of Lords debate on 2 December 2021 on the value of the BBC to its audiences. The briefing provides information on the BBC’s remit, its services, and their economic value to the UK. It also summarises issues such as the negotiations between the BBC and the Government over the licence fee settlement from 2022, and the forthcoming mid-term review of the BBC’s royal charter.
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Current Affairs Digest: Economics (November 2021)
Catch up on developments in economics this month. We take a look at a report by the Centre for Social Justice on how public procurement could help with levelling up, and demystify current debates around inflation and whether the Bank of England should raise interest rates.
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Quantitative easing
Quantitative easing (QE) is a form of monetary policy first used in the UK during the financial crisis. In July 2021, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee published a report on the policy. It concluded that QE had succeeded in stabilising the economy in crisis conditions, but that it remains poorly understood and has led to perceptions that the Bank of England has become politicised.
Employment
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Current Affairs Digest: Economics (October 2021)
Catch up on developments in economics with a selection of articles you may have missed. This month we take a look at unemployment benefits in recessions, and green initiatives in public finance.
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Report of the Social Mobility Commission: ‘Social Mobility and the Pandemic’
In July 2021, the Social Mobility Commission published its annual state of the nation report. It warned that the UK has struggled with the “damaging impact” of Covid-19 and as a result social mobility which is “already stagnant” could move backwards. This article considers the findings of the report and the Government’s policy on social mobility.
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Menopause and the workplace
World Menopause Day is held on 18 October every year. The International Menopause Society has said that the purpose of the day is to “raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing”. This article focuses on the impact it can have on the working lives of women and others who experience menopausal symptoms.
International trade
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European Union Committee report—Beyond Brexit: Food, Environment, Energy and Health
What impact will the UK’s new relationship with the EU have on food, the environment, energy and health? This article examines key findings of a House of Lords committee that looked at this topic earlier this year, as well as the Government’s response, ahead of a debate on 15 November 2021.
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Promoting trade and business opportunities with Africa
The Government has outlined its commitment to improving trade and business links with Africa. In January 2020, it held a UK-Africa investment summit and, since leaving the EU, the UK has agreed eight free trade agreements with African countries and trading blocs. This article discusses the Government’s plans, and highlights commentary from the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, in advance of a debate on 28 October 2021.
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Heavy goods vehicle driver shortage
The UK, alongside other countries, is currently experiencing a shortage of HGV drivers. This has caused some UK supply chain issues, including the fuel shortage at the start of October 2021. The Government has laid out several actions to address the shortage, which have been met with mixed responses.
Transport
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Current Affairs Digest: Social Policy (October 2021)
Catch up on the latest social policy developments with a selection of articles you may have missed. This month we take a look at the social care levy, and the introduction of road pricing.
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Heavy goods vehicle driver shortage
The UK, alongside other countries, is currently experiencing a shortage of HGV drivers. This has caused some UK supply chain issues, including the fuel shortage at the start of October 2021. The Government has laid out several actions to address the shortage, which have been met with mixed responses.
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Solent ferry services: regret motion
Successive MPs for the Isle of Wight have argued that ferry services between the island and the mainland are not competitive enough. A statutory instrument introduced in response to Covid-19 suspended some elements of competition law in relation to ferry services across the Solent. A motion due to be moved in the House of Lords expresses regret that the order revoking this suspension does not address competition issues.
