• In Focus

    Where are they now?: Changes to the legislative agenda in the 2022–23 session

    The Queen’s Speech at the start of the 2022–23 session included 20 bills. A further 13 bills were announced in the government’s background briefing to the speech, including five carry-over bills. Changes in government leadership then resulted in some changes to policy during the 2022–23 session. This briefing looks at how the government’s legislative agenda changed during the last session and how many of these bills have been carried over into the new session.

  • In Focus

    Who sits where in the House of Lords?

    Seating in the House of Lords is defined by precedence and tradition. Tudor laws laid the groundwork for the layout of the current chamber. However, changes to the makeup of the membership and roles in the House have affected how the chamber has been used over time. This briefing explains who sits where and why, then takes a closer look at the tradition of sitting on the steps of the throne.

  • In Focus

    The government’s strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission: Regret motion

    The Elections Act 2022 included provisions for the government to issue a strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission. The government has said the statement is necessary to improve public confidence in the commission. A range of organisations, including the Electoral Commission, have opposed the statement, calling it incompatible with the commission’s independence.

  • In Focus

    Windsor Framework: Command paper and regulations

    On 31 January 2024, the government published a command paper on ‘Safeguarding the union’ and accompanying draft secondary legislation, seeking to address concerns about Northern Ireland’s place in the union and arrangements for the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Following negotiations with the DUP, this is intended as a step towards restoring the Northern Ireland executive.

  • Research Briefing

    Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill: HL Bill 38 of 2023–24

    The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill would prevent public authorities from participating in or expressing support for boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns. The bill would allow the government to exempt states and territories from its provisions by regulations, with the exception of Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the Occupied Golan Heights.

  • In Focus

    Intergovernmental relations within the UK

    Intergovernmental relations (IGR) within the UK refers to engagement between the UK government and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 2022, following a review, a new three-tier IGR structure was introduced. However, its full implementation has been impacted by the absence of a Northern Ireland executive since February 2022. The Scottish and Welsh governments have welcomed improvements brought about by the new structure but have also criticised the UK government’s attitude towards engagement with the devolved administrations at times.

  • Research Briefing

    Post Office (Horizon System) Compensation Bill: HL Bill 37 of 2023–24

    The Post Office (Horizon System) Compensation Bill is a government bill which provides the secretary of state for business and trade with the financial authority to make compensation payments to those individuals who were the victims of the Horizon system scandal. It would mean that compensation could continue to be paid under one of the schemes, known as the Group litigation order (GLO) scheme. Currently, the power to pay compensation under this scheme ceases in August 2024. The bill would also allow the secretary of state to pay compensation to individuals in other compensation schemes and arrangements and in respect of other matters identified in High Court judgments given in proceedings relating to the Horizon system, such as the failure by the Post Office to pay suspension pay to postmasters. The second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is due on 16 January 2024. The bill would extend and apply to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It would commence at royal assent.

  • In Focus

    Parliamentary democracy and standards in public life in 2023

    This briefing provides an overview of the current standing of UK parliamentary democracy and standards in public life ahead of a Lords debate in January 2024, complementing two previous Library briefings on these subjects. It summarises research by the Constitution Unit which reported public concern about the functioning of democracy. It then covers recent reports and statements, including from the Committee on Standards in Public Life and its previous chair, Lord Evans of Weardale.

  • In Focus

    Customs and traditions of the House of Lords: Self-regulation

    The origins of the House of Lords are traceable through the developments of the parliamentary system in England, with the term itself first used during the reign of Henry VIII. Although the House’s purpose, powers and composition have changed considerably over time, a constant has been the importance placed by the Lords on its customs and traditions. Many of these customs and traditions are unwritten and exist due to historical precedent, while some are written articles. However, all are important to the daily functioning of the House, and many have developed into their current form through a long process of ritual and tradition.

  • In Focus

    Life beyond Covid-19: Lords Covid-19 Committee’s recommendations for long-term resilience and wellbeing

    In a report published in early 2022, the House of Lords Covid-19 Committee called for a “reset” of the state through a new emphasis on governing for the long-term and a new focus on wellbeing. The committee’s recommendations spanned a range of policy areas, from addressing health disparities and supporting families through to expanding devolution and improving public service resilience and preparedness. The government responded to the committee’s recommendations in July 2022.

  • In Focus

    From the Hansard archives: Life Peerages Act 1958

    The Life Peerages Act 1958 received royal assent on 30 April 1958 and the first 14 life peers were announced later that year on 24 July. Prior to the act, the House of Lords was exclusively male and largely made up of hereditary peers, with the exception of the Lords Spiritual and a limited number of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary—judges who had been granted life peerages under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act of 1876. Although life peers had been created previously, historically they were not allowed to sit or vote in the House of Lords. The act would also allow women to sit in the Lords for the first time. This briefing looks back at second reading of the Life Peerages Bill in the House of Lords, 65 years ago.

  • In Focus

    From the Hansard archives: Peerage Act 1963

    The Peerage Act 1963 enabled hereditary peers to renounce their titles. Eighteen hereditary peers have disclaimed their peerages under the act. The first was Tony Benn, and those later disclaiming included Lord Hailsham and the Earl of Home, who both subsequently returned to the House of Lords as life peers. The act also allowed female hereditary peers to take seats and gave holders of Scottish peerages the same right to receive a writ of summons as holders of UK peerages. This briefing looks back at second reading of the Peerage Bill in the House of Lords, which took place on 4 July 1963.

  • In Focus

    From the Hansard archives: Parliamentary firsts at the 1958 Queen’s Speech

    The state opening of Parliament in 1958 would be the last of that parliament, taking place 12 months before the election the following year. In the six days of debate on the address that followed, members responded to the government’s legislative programme, an agenda set in a context of ongoing international and domestic economic challenges. However, its significance lay in it being the occasion for two parliamentary firsts. This briefing looks back to find that the subsequent debates on the address saw the first contributions of life peers. It was also the first state opening to be televised.

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