• Research Briefing

    Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 10 of 2024–25

    The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill [HL] is a government bill comprising a single substantive clause. It would extend the period in which vacancies among the lords spiritual are filled by bishops who are women by five years. The lords spiritual are the maximum of 26 Church of England archbishops and bishops in the House of Lords. The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 is currently due to expire in May 2025. The bill has been introduced at the request of the Church of England. This briefing provides a summary of the background to the bill, including the appointments procedure for the lords spiritual. It summarises the bill’s provisions and provides statistics on women bishops in the House of Lords.

  • 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

    Public libraries in England: Work towards a new national strategy

    This briefing provides a summary of work over recent years towards a national library strategy, including Baroness Sanderson of Welton’s independent review of public libraries. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay’s (Conservative) debate scheduled for 12 September 2024 on whether the Labour government plans to publish a new strategy for public libraries.

  • 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.

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