Research Briefing
King’s Speech 2026: Foreign affairs
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about foreign affairs.
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Research Briefing
King’s Speech 2026: Constitution
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about the constitution.
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Research Briefing
King’s Speech 2026: Housing, communities and local government
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about housing, communities and local government.
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Research Briefing
King’s Speech 2026: Devolved affairs
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about devolved affairs.
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Research Briefing
King’s Speech 2026: Health
This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about health.
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In Focus
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.
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In Focus
Lords public bill stages: “That this bill do now pass”
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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Research Briefing
Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill: HL Bill 179 of 2024–26
The Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill is a government bill that would increase the total number of ministerial salaries that could be paid from 109 to 120. It completed its Commons stages on 17 March 2026. No amendments were tabled. It is due to have its second reading and remaining stages in the House of Lords on 14 April 2026. It has been certified as a money bill.
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Research Briefing
Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill: HL Bill 178 of 2024–26
The Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill is a government bill that would allow public money to be used to build a memorial to the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire and fund associated works related to archives, an exhibition and second site where elements of the tower could be laid to rest. It is a money bill which received cross-party support in the House of Commons.
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In Focus
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.
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In Focus
Cyber security and the UK government
Cyber security is becoming an increasingly salient issue as society becomes more dependent on digital services and the capabilities of malicious actors evolve. The government is a significant target for cyber attacks, particularly those aiming to disrupt public services or conduct espionage. This briefing provides an introduction to cyber security and recent plans to strengthen government cyber security.
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In Focus
Treaty scrutiny in Parliament: Lords International Agreements Committee report
The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has published a report on treaty scrutiny in Westminster. The committee described the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010’s framework for treaty scrutiny as a “weak and insufficient mechanism for securing meaningful accountability to Parliament” and called for it to be reformed. The government said it saw some difficulties in the committee’s proposals, but it was also “keen to work with the committee to help to mitigate or resolve, so far as possible, the issues which the committee has raised”.
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In Focus
International Women’s Day 2026
The House of Lords will hold a debate marking International Women’s Day on 6 March 2026. This briefing looks at progress internationally towards meeting the UN’s sustainable development goal on gender equality. It also examines the impact on women and girls of reductions in UK and other developed-country international aid.
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In Focus
Reforming the law on donations to political parties
The Labour Party pledged to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties in its manifesto. The government subsequently published a “strategy for modern and secure elections” in July 2025. An independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics is currently examining the issue and is expected to report by the end of March 2026. The review’s recommendations are expected to inform a future elections bill.
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In Focus
Private members’ bills and the Parliament Acts
It has been suggested that the Parliament Acts could be used to pass the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill if it does not complete all its House of Lords stages before the end of the 2024–26 parliamentary session. This briefing considers how the Parliament Acts apply to private members’ bills.
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