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.
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.
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.
Current Affairs Digest
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.
In Focus
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.
In Focus
The Government has stated its intention to introduce several measures relating to the constitution. These include a review of the constitution, repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 and legislation to improve the integrity of elections.
In Focus
The Government has stated that the state opening of parliament and Queen’s Speech scheduled for 11 May 2021 will take place with reduced ceremonial elements due to the coronavirus pandemic. This In Focus looks at how this can differ from a traditional state opening.
Research Briefing
What have been the largest ever votes in the House of Lords? This briefing provides a list of divisions since 1999 where 500 or more Members have voted.
In Focus
As part of its sustainable development goals, the United Nations (UN) has called for women to achieve full and effective participation in political life by 2030. Currently, women account for 25.5% of national representatives worldwide. The UN has said that with the current rate of action gender parity will not be reached for another 130 years. This article considers which countries are leading on political gender parity and what barriers to full participation remain.
In Focus
The first anniversary of the Coronavirus Act 2020 passing into law will fall on 25 March 2021. Both Houses of Parliament are due to hold debates on this date to consider a one-year status report on the act and its provisions. The House of Lords is also set to consider certain health protection regulations made under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 during its debate.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch up on parliamentary and constitutional developments with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month look at control of business and time in the House of Commons, and the future role of referendums in the UK.
In Focus
In 2020, following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Lords made several changes to the way it conducted its business. This included the use of virtual proceedings and sittings which featured both physical and remote participation. This briefing looks at the impact of those changes on member participation over the course of 2020.
Research Briefing
Hereditary peer by-elections are held within the House of Lords to replace excepted hereditary peers who have retired or died. This Lords Library Briefing provides a list of hereditary peers’ by-election results since the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999, including information on turn out and the number of candidates.
In Focus
It has been over 60 years since women gained the right to join the House of Lords. Today, just under a third of members are women. Why is the number of women not equal to that of men?
In Focus
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.
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