Constitution Archives

Building Safety Regulator: Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report

Tuesday, 02 June, 2026

In December 2025, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published its report ‘The Building Safety Regulator: Building a better regulator’. The committee found that delays caused by the regulator’s approval processes had delayed or disincentivised refurbishments, safety upgrades and the remediation of dangerous cladding in high-rise buildings. It made recommendations aimed at these addressing the issues. The government accepted the intent of the recommendations and set out information on how it would take them forward.

Building Safety Regulator: Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report

Social Housing Bill [HL]: HL Bill 2 of 2026–27

Wednesday, 27 May, 2026

The Social Housing Bill [HL] is a government bill intended to support growth in the social housing sector in England and improve the efficiency of the current right to buy system. It also includes provisions intended to protect the victims of domestic abuse.

Social Housing Bill [HL]: HL Bill 2 of 2026–27

Funding for the arts

Friday, 22 May, 2026

Since 2010, various sources have reported that funding for the arts has decreased creating challenges for organisations and individuals in the sector. This briefing examines how the arts are currently funded, what challenges the sector faces and what recent action the government has taken in this area. It also provides an overview of a recent independent review of the Arts Council England.

Research Briefing

Lengths of prorogation since 1900

Wednesday, 20 May, 2026

Prorogation is the mechanism by which parliamentary sessions are ended. This House of Lords Library briefing sets out the start and end dates of each parliamentary session since 1900, together with the number of calendar days between the end of the previous session and the start of the new one.
Research Briefing

Sovereign’s Speech: Lords movers and seconders, 1979–2026

Wednesday, 20 May, 2026

This House of Lords Library briefing provides a list of movers and seconders of the humble address to the sovereign, following the sovereign’s speech at the State Opening of Parliament. The list provides information from 1979 to 2026.
In Focus

Local councillors: Impact of increasing abuse and intimidation

Wednesday, 20 May, 2026

The level of abuse and intimidation aimed at those seeking or holding elected office in local government has been increasing. The Local Government Association has found that almost three-quarters of local councillors in England report feeling personally at risk when fulfilling their role. The government has called such abuse and intimidation unacceptable and is pursuing a range of measures in response, including via the Representation of the People Bill.
Research Briefing

Hereditary by-elections results: 2002 to 2024

Friday, 15 May, 2026

Between 2002 and 2024, by-elections were held to replace excepted hereditary peers who left the House of Lords. In July 2024, the House agreed to pause by-elections following the introduction of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill. This bill was passed in 2026, ending the need for by-elections. This briefing provides a list of by-election results, including information on turnout and the number of candidates.
In Focus

House of Lords reform: Hereditary members at the end of the 2024–26 session

Thursday, 14 May, 2026

The right for hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords has come to an end. This briefing lists the last hereditary peers sitting in the House of Lords when the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act passed into law in March 2026, together with their length of service as a hereditary member. It also notes returns to the House as life peers.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Foreign affairs

Thursday, 07 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about foreign affairs.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Constitution

Thursday, 07 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about the constitution.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Housing, communities and local government

Thursday, 07 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about housing, communities and local government.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Devolved affairs

Wednesday, 06 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about devolved affairs.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Health

Wednesday, 06 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about health.
In Focus

Draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026: Fatal motion

Wednesday, 22 April, 2026

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.
In Focus

Lords public bill stages: “That this bill do now pass”

Friday, 27 March, 2026

The motion “that this bill do now pass” is moved immediately after a bill’s final stage in the House of Lords (known as third reading). It is amendable and so provides an opportunity for the House to oppose, delay or record a view on a measure if there is enough support. This briefing provides examples of amendments to the motion and what the outcome was each time.

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