Research Briefing
The bill would amend the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 to increase the standard allowance entitlement of universal credit for individuals leaving care once they turn 18 to match the amount available to claimants aged 25 or over.
In Focus
Advances in science and medicine led to rising life expectancy in the UK throughout the 20th century, but increases have slowed. Are we nearing the ceiling of life expectancy or will a new wave of research change everything? This briefing explores the science and policy implications of life extension.
In Focus
Two hundred years ago the Vagrancy Act 1824 criminalised begging and rough sleeping. These provisions are still in force today, despite long-standing calls for their repeal and government commitments to replace them. This briefing looks at the original purpose of the act and at efforts to remove it from the statute books.
In Focus
The government has made several proposals to increase housing supply and improve the quality of homes. This includes prioritising building housing on brownfield sites and reforming the national planning policy framework. However, there are concerns that the development of such homes can impact surrounding communities, affecting factors such as green spaces, local infrastructure and public services.
Research Briefing
The Complications from Abortions (Annual Report) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Moylan (Conservative). It is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 December 2024. It would require the secretary of state to publish an annual report on complications from abortions in England.
In Focus
An estimated third of the UK population live with allergies. Campaigners have called for improvements to NHS care, including more specialists, better training in primary care, and easier access to medication for those affected. The government has said that work is ongoing on a national strategy for allergies, and it will be considering whether to appoint a national allergy lead.
Research Briefing
The Asylum Support (Prescribed Period) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour). It was introduced in the House of Lords on 6 September 2024 and is due to have its second reading on 13 December 2024.
In Focus
The government recently announced an independent review of physician and anaesthesia associates to be led by Professor Gillian Leng. This announcement followed a debate about the use of the roles in the NHS and concerns raised by some stakeholders about patient safety. The review has been widely welcomed by stakeholders as a way to move the debate forward.
In Focus
The number of young people with special educational needs and disabilities has increased in recent years, prompting concerns about quality of SEND provision and the impact on local authority finances. A report by the National Audit Office in October 2024 concluded that, without reform, the costs of the SEND system were unsustainable. In the 2024 autumn budget, the Labour government announced an increase in education spending of £11.2bn from 2023/24 levels by 2025/26, with £1bn earmarked for SEND funding.
In Focus
Homelessness and housing sector commentators argue that there is an undersupply of affordable housing, which they suggest is a key driver of homelessness. Successive governments have sought to address the issue of homelessness in part by increasing the supply of affordable homes and improving the quality of existing accommodation. The current government’s new taskforce on homelessness says it will seek to increase the supply and security of housing.
In Focus
Fracture liaison services proactively identify people at risk of fractures caused by osteoporosis. Patients can then be assessed and treated to prevent future fractures. The provision of fracture liaison services in England has been called a ‘postcode lottery’ by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, and evidence shows variation in quality and reach. The government has committed to 100% coverage by 2030.
In Focus
Academic research suggests that mobile phones in schools can adversely affect pupils’ educational attainment and contribute to problems such as bullying. But some experts point to potential learning benefits and argue that a blanket ban on phones could prove ineffective and counterproductive. Government guidance discourages the use of phones in schools but defers to school leaders on prohibiting their use. Most schools in England already have policies limiting the use of phones.
Research Briefing
The Mental Health Bill [HL] is a government bill that would amend the Mental Health Act 1983. The 1983 act is the current legislation that regulates the compulsory detention and treatment of those with a mental disorder in England and Wales. There have long been calls to update the legislation, and in 2017 there was an independent review of the Mental Health Act. In 2022 the previous Conservative government published a draft Mental Health Bill. The current bill is similar (but not identical) to the draft bill and it would implement many of the recommendations of the 2017 independent review. Changes proposed in the bill include tightening the detention criteria in the 1983 act and providing for more frequents reviews; limiting the period that people with autism or a learning disability can be detained; and removing prisons and police stations as “places of safety” in the act. This briefing provides a summary of the background to the bill, the bill’s provisions, and the differences from the 2022 draft bill.
In Focus
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its final report in September 2024. It found the fire was the “culmination of decades of failure by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry”. It also concluded there had been “systematic dishonesty” from the manufacturers of certain cladding panels and insulation about their products. This briefing covers the inquiry’s recommendations and responses from different stakeholders ahead of a debate in the House of Lords.
In Focus
Universities UK has put forward proposals to reform the higher education sector to ensure that it is able to “deliver for the nation into the 2030s”. In a report published in September 2024, it called for five big shifts: expand opportunity; improve collaboration; generate local growth; secure future strength; and establish a global strategy. The government has said it would set out its plans for reform in the coming months.
Total results (page 2 of 45)