Our research on home affairs

In August and September 2020, the Government made several changes to the planning system in England. It introduced secondary legislation creating new permitted development rights and making changes to use classes. Five of these statutory instruments are being debated in the House of Lords on 27 October 2020. This article provides a summary of these instruments and the scrutiny they have received so far in Parliament.

This article looks at two movements for Black liberation: Black Lives Matter and the Black Panther Party. It considers some similarities and differences between the two organisations and details their impact on society in the US and the UK.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 place a prohibition on people gathering in groups of more than six in England; in effect implementing the Government’s ‘rule of six’ policy. Exemptions apply, for example if individuals are members of the same household or two linked households (a support bubble). The House of Lords is due to debate a motion to regret the rules on 6 October 2020.

Since the passage of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, the Government has been preparing for the UK to implement sanctions once it is no longer covered by the EU’s legal framework. The draft Sanctions (EU Exit) (Consequential Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 would amend existing sanctions regulations made under the 2018 act to ensure that references in other pieces of primary and secondary legislation are up to date.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic abuse charities have reported a sharp increase in demand for their services. In response, the Government has provided additional funding to local authorities and domestic violence groups, and is seeking to enact further measures through the Domestic Abuse Bill shortly to come before the House of Lords.

This instrument seeks to introduce a revised code of practice that prescribes how police officers should disclose material to the prosecution during the course of a criminal investigation. It is due to be debated in the House of Lords on 22 October 2020.

The UK’s arts and entertainment sector has been one of the areas worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The decline in revenues and the number of workers furloughed over the past few months is second only to the accommodation and food sector. This article examines the impact of the pandemic on the UK’s cultural industry and the Government’s recently announced support package worth £1.57 billion aimed at helping the sector recover.

The outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK saw the closure of places of worship, including churches, as part of measures to limit transmission of the virus. Churches were gradually reopened in June and July 2020. This article considers the ways in which churches and congregations were affected by this closure and the gradual reopening. It also summarises the discussion between the Government and religious bodies during this process.

This article explores changes to the entitlement to free TV licences for the over 75s, and how the timetable for implementing this has been extended because of the coronavirus outbreak.

In 1945, Parliament passed the Family Allowances Act. This article summarises the campaign to provide financial support to families with children and the passing of the Act. It also provides statistics on child benefits today.

People over the age of 70 have been identified as being at higher risk of serious illness as a result of Covid-19. This article summarises the advice given to the over-70s and the debate over whether government policy has resulted in age discrimination.

Fewer than 90 peerages can be inherited by a female heir, and may pass in the female line. This article examines proposals put forward by campaign groups, and some parliamentarians, which would see a change in the rules preventing women inheriting titles.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic abuse charities have reported a sharp increase in demand for their services. In response, the Government has provided additional funding to local authorities and domestic violence groups, and is seeking to enact further measures through the Domestic Abuse Bill shortly to come before the House of Lords.

Three draft statutory instruments due to be debated in the House of Lords on 22 October 2020 would give effect to commitments in the EU Withdrawal Agreement, the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement and the Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement. These statutory instruments cover a “grace period” for applications to the EU settlement scheme permits for frontier workers; and the deportation of EEA citizens.

After the Brexit transition period, the UK will no longer participate in the Dublin system, an EU arrangement for dealing with asylum applications. This article looks at the findings of a House of Lords committee report that considered the impact of Brexit on refugee and asylum policy, and sets out what has happened since the report was published in October 2019.

This instrument seeks to introduce a revised code of practice that prescribes how police officers should disclose material to the prosecution during the course of a criminal investigation. It is due to be debated in the House of Lords on 22 October 2020.

These regulations temporarily increase the amount of time that a defendant can be held in custody whilst awaiting a crown court trial. The Government said that the purpose of the regulations is to provide reassurance to victims and the public following the recent delays in trial listings caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The regulations came into force on 28 September 2020 and will expire on 28 June 2021.

The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020 make arrangements for how eviction court cases, which were temporarily suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, will proceed when the suspension is lifted on 21 September 2020. On 23 September 2020, the House of Lords is due to debate a motion to annul the rules.

Seventy-five years ago Nazi propagandist William Joyce (“Lord Haw-Haw”) was convicted for high treason. This article summarises the events leading up to his conviction and execution. It then considers the current law on treason and recent calls for reform.

The bill would provide for changes in the sentencing, release and monitoring of terrorism offenders. This briefing explains what the bill would do and what happened to it in the House of Commons.

As the coronavirus pandemic has led to children spending more time online, concerns have been raised that there is an increased risk of online-facilitated child sexual abuse and exploitation. This article examines these concerns and what the Government has done to reduce the risks.