The Public Office (Accountability) Bill is a government bill introduced in the House of Commons in the 2024–26 session. It was carried over to the current session and completed its Commons stages on 14 July 2026. It is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 1 September 2026.
The bill would make the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) primarily responsible for certain youth justice functions, provide a formal role for the Welsh government in some youth justice decisions, and restrict the UK government’s ability to alter the YJB’s functions through secondary legislation.
![Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (Restoration of Powers and Responsibilities) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 20 of 2026–27](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/still-life-with-scales-justice-scaled-e1698409347896-1232x693.jpg)
The Creative Education Access Bill [HL] would introduce a minimum entitlement to creative and cultural education for pupils at state-funded schools in England. The bill would establish a minimum number of hours of creative learning per week and would require schools to take reasonable steps to develop partnerships with the creative sector.
![Creative Education Access Bill [HL]: HL Bill 17 of 2026–27](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/pexels-pavel-danilyuk-8382258-1232x693.jpg)
In Focus
The UK parcel delivery market is competitive, with Ofcom regulating postal services and monitoring operators’ performance. Recent evidence shows generally high consumer satisfaction but highlights persistent delivery problems, alongside concerns over accessibility and customer service. The government has said delivery operators should improve service standards, while recognising their operational independence. Ofcom has stated that it continues to monitor the sector, issue guidance and take enforcement action where necessary.
In Focus
Research using large-scale patient datasets has enabled advances in healthcare. However, scientists and data controllers face challenges including fragmented systems, complex governance and data security. While members of the public are largely in favour of their information being used to improve health outcomes, concerns remain about data breaches and commercial interests. Through the creation of the Health Data Research Service, the government aims to simplify access to health data and support innovation.
In Focus
In July 2025, the Joint Committee on Human Rights published a report contending that goods which are produced or part-produced with forced labour are being sold to consumers in the UK. It also argued that the UK had fallen behind comparable countries in its approach to tackling forced labour. The committee called for new legislation to address the issue. The government responded that it was “actively exploring options to strengthen protections”.
In Focus
Whilst layperson jury trials have been a longstanding feature of the England and Wales criminal justice system, some countries have taken a different approach. If enacted, the Courts and Tribunals Bill would remove jury trials for some criminal cases in England and Wales. This briefing identifies some different approaches taken in other countries in light of the recent proposals for court reform in England and Wales.
In Focus
In January 2026, the government set out comprehensive reforms to policing in England and Wales. These included proposals aimed at the police workforce, such as the introduction of a licence to practise, changes to the rules on vetting and dismissal and new policies aimed at improving the wellbeing of officers. This briefing examines the government’s workforce plans and the reaction of some stakeholders.
In Focus
In December 2025, the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee published a report on preparing for an ageing society. It urged the government to address the economic challenges this poses, arguing that the greatest impact would come from supporting those in their mid-50s to mid-60s to remain in or return to work. The government said it was responding to the pressures of an ageing society through a number of measures.
In Focus
Concerns have been raised about the impact of gambling on children and young people, particularly in relation to online gambling and exposure to advertising. This briefing summarises current regulatory protections for children and vulnerable people in the way gambling is licensed in Great Britain, statistics on gambling participation and gambling harms among children and young adults, and proposals from campaigners, parliamentarians and the government to reduce gambling-related harm.
In Focus
The government is introducing new V-levels and expanding T-levels as part of post-16 qualification reforms. The government has said the changes will simplify routes into employment and higher education and enable vocational study to sit alongside A-levels. However, stakeholders have questioned whether the new qualifications will meet the needs of the creative sector and students looking to enter the creative industries.
Research Briefing
The Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill is a private member’s bill introduced in the House of Lords. It would make it an offence for a person deployed as a covert human intelligence source (CHIS) to engage in an intimate sexual relationship with any person they have been deployed to target, who is a member of the group they have been deployed to target, or whom they encounter during their deployment.
In Focus
In 2024/25, around 1,000 prisoners a month were released from prison homeless and went on to rough sleep in England and Wales. This briefing summarises the statistics on homelessness among those released from prison, the early prison release schemes, and the statutory duties on prisons to refer those at risk of homelessness to local authority housing services.
Research Briefing
The bill would enable the High Court in England and Wales, the Court of Session in Scotland and the High Court in Northern Ireland, to make preliminary determinations on whether a genocide is occurring overseas, or if there is deemed to be a serious risk of one occurring. The bill would require the government to refer the preliminary determination to international bodies such as the International Court of Justice.
In Focus
The 2025 strategic defence review recommended the government bring forward a defence readiness bill to provide for powers to mobilise reserves and industry should crisis escalate into conflict. Amid criticism that such a measure was not included in the May 2026 King’s Speech, the government has indicated it will introduce a bill later in the current parliament. There have been calls for the bill to cover national resilience matters more broadly when it is introduced.
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