• In Focus

    Why peers cannot vote at general elections

    Common law long provided that peers of parliament could not vote in general elections. In the last 25 years, this has been put on a statutory footing and peers who are members of the House of Lords remain barred from voting. This briefing explores how this came to be and looks at recent attempts to change this disenfranchisement.

  • In Focus

    Role of the prime minister’s trade envoys

    The prime minister’s trade envoys are a network of parliamentarians appointed to engage with countries where the UK government has identified trade and investment opportunities. There were 35 trade envoys covering 58 markets as of 16 May 2024. The government has said trade envoys support the UK’s economic growth by promoting trade in key markets. However, some parliamentarians have sought clarity on aspects of the trade envoy programme.

  • Research Briefing

    High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill: HL Bill 69 of 2023–24

    The High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Whitby (Conservative). It would require local authorities in England to designate at least one street or network of streets in their area as a high street. Authorities would then need to prepare and publish an improvement plan for each designated high street area. The bill has passed the House of Commons and has government support.

  • Research Briefing

    Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill: HL Bill 73 of 2023–24

    The Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 May 2024. The bill seeks to fulfil the commitment made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on 10 January 2023 to quash the convictions of those convicted as a result of the Horizon scandal. It would extend and apply to England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its provisions would come into force at royal assent. During committee stage the bill was extended to Northern Ireland. There have also been calls for it to be extended to Scotland. The bill has received cross-party support but is controversial as the quashing of convictions by Parliament is unprecedented. In addition, concerns about the scope of the bill have been raised. The bill would not include individuals whose convictions were previously upheld by the Court of Appeal.

  • In Focus

    Appointing and removing permanent secretaries: Lords Constitution Committee report

    The departure of some senior officials from their roles in recent years has been seen as controversial, prompting questions about the level of ministerial involvement in appointing and dismissing the most senior civil servants. A recent Constitution Committee report concluded the current level of ministerial involvement struck the right balance, but it recommended some changes for increased transparency and clarity. The House of Lords is due to debate the report on 9 May 2024.

  • In Focus

    Integration of Primary and Community Care Committee report: ‘Patients at the centre: Integrating primary and community care’

    Integrating primary and community care services has been identified as necessary in order to address increased demand and the rise in the number of people with complex health issues. In 2023, the House of Lords Integration of Primary and Community Care Committee considered how successfully these services were being integrated. This briefing summarises the committee’s conclusions and recommendations and the government’s response.

  • In Focus

    Economic Affairs Committee report: ‘Making an independent Bank of England work better’

    In 2023 the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee conducted an inquiry into the Bank of England’s operational independence, 25 years after independence was formalised with the passage of the Bank of England Act 1998. This briefing provides a summary of the committee’s findings and the government’s response, ahead of a debate in the House of Lords on 2 May 2024.

  • In Focus

    Customs and traditions: The mace

    The mace is a staff of office symbolising the authority of the sovereign in Parliament. A mace is carried to the Lords and the Commons chambers in a procession at the beginning and end of each sitting day. In the Lords, it rests on the woolsack behind the lord speaker during proceedings. As is the case in the Commons, the Lords may not conduct business in the chamber whilst it is not present. But where did this custom and tradition come from and are maces found in other parliaments?

  • In Focus

    Built Environment Committee report: Impact of environmental regulations on development

    The government has committed to increase house building and improve the UK’s infrastructure while also protecting and improving the natural environment. The balance between these two objectives has been considered by the House of Lords Built Environment Committee in a report on the impact of environmental regulations on development. This article summarises the committee’s conclusions and the government’s response ahead of a House of Lords debate on the report.

  • In Focus

    Children looked after by local authorities in England

    Under the Children Act 1989, a child is looked after by a local authority if they are provided with accommodation, for a continuous period of more than 24 hours, are subject to a care order or are subject to a placement order. There were 83,840 looked-after children in England in March 2023. This was an increase from 78,140 in 2019. The Local Government Association has said councils face challenges around the availability of suitable residential and fostering placements. The government is currently implementing its 2023 children’s social care strategy to reform care in England.

  • In Focus

    Local government finances: Impact on communities

    Local authorities receive revenue finance primarily from government grants and business rates. This is used to fund various services, including social care, housing and waste management. In recent years, cost and demand pressures faced by local authorities have outstripped overall inflation. The government recently finalised the local government funding settlement, which sets out how much councils will receive from the government in 2024/25 and provides estimates of their spending power.

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