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.

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

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.

Strengthening Northern Ireland’s voice in the context of the Windsor Framework: Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee report

  • Research Briefing

    English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: HL Bill 150 of 2024–26

    The government states the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is a “landmark” piece of legislation. Arguing that England is one of the most centralised developed countries, it says the bill would transfer power to England’s regions, “fix the foundations” of local government, empower communities and “drive growth”. However, some opposition members argue the measures would instead centralise decision making and have criticised the lack of accountability measures for mayors.

  • Research Briefing

    Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill: HL Bill 116 of 2024–25

    The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill is a private member’s bill which seeks to align the rules regarding applying online for absent voting (postal or proxy votes) in Scotland and Wales with rules in England. While voters can currently apply for absent votes in several elections online, this does not include local elections in Scotland and Wales and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Senedd. Absent votes can still be applied for but must be done via a paper form. The bill also includes provisions giving the Scottish and Welsh governments powers to include an identity verification requirement on absent voting applications. It would also align postal voting renewal cycles. The bill is sponsored by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) and is scheduled to have its second reading on 5 September 2025. The bill passed its Commons stages with only technical amendments and received cross-party support.

  • In Focus

    Constitution Committee report on the governance of the union

    The House of Lords Constitution Committee has re-examined relations between the UK government and devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland following the introduction of new intergovernmental relations structures in January 2022 and its own earlier inquiry on the subject. In a report published in September 2024, the committee urged the government to add a new principle of positive engagement to the principles underpinning the new structures.

  • In Focus

    Local elections in England: House of Lords debate on certain elections being postponed to 2026

    The government postponed elections in nine local authority areas in England from May 2025 to May 2026 to help with planning for local government devolution and creating unitary authorities in two-tier local government areas. There has been opposition to postponing the elections from other political parties, some councils and some members of the public. The House of Lords is due to debate motions to annul the legislation that delays the elections.

  • In Focus

    Northern Ireland retail movement scheme and ‘rest of the world’ goods

    The government has recently changed the entry requirements for certain non-EU goods being imported into Great Britain to enable them to move onwards under the Northern Ireland retail movement scheme. The House of Lords is due to consider a motion to annul the regulations that made these changes. This comes in the context of wider debates about the impact of the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland.

  • In Focus

    Protecting Atlantic salmon populations

    In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining populations of Atlantic salmon, with work taking place to address this issue. This briefing provides a summary of this policy area. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean’s (Conservative) 12 September 2024 debate on what steps the government is taking to protect Atlantic salmon populations.

  • In Focus

    UK Covid-19 Inquiry report: Resilience and preparedness

    On 18 July 2024, the independent UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its first report, which focused on the UK’s pandemic resilience and preparedness. It contained 10 key recommendations. The chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has urged the UK government and the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to implement her recommendations promptly. On 3 September 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the inquiry’s report.

  • Research Briefing

    Crown Estate Bill [HL]: HL Bill 5 of 2024–25

    The Crown Estate Bill [HL] is a government bill to widen the borrowing and investment powers of the Crown Estate. The government intends this will help speed up the development of offshore wind projects in seabed areas managed by the Crown Estate and deliver long-term financial returns to the taxpayer. It announced a partnership between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy on the same day it introduced the bill.

  • In Focus

    Strengthening the UK union

    The union between England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland is governed both by legislation and the statutory frameworks of devolution settlements, and non-legislative measures that cover joint decision making and dispute resolution. Events such as the UK’s exit from the European Union have the potential to put the union under strain. This briefing explores suggested reforms which proponents argue would strengthen the UK union.

  • In Focus

    Motion for an humble address on Northern Ireland

    The government has tabled motions in both Houses of Parliament for an humble address on Northern Ireland to be presented to the King. This follows the publication in January 2024 of a command paper on ‘Safeguarding the union’ and the restoration of Northern Ireland’s devolved institutions in February 2024.

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