The Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2020 transposed a revised EU directive into UK law. The current amendment regulations would make some changes to the earlier set, most notably to amend the duties placed on Ofcom, the regulator. The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has raised some concerns about the UK’s ability to tackle online harm now that the UK has left the EU.
The British Library Board (Power to Borrow) Bill would grant the British Library board new powers to borrow money. This private member’s bill, introduced in the House of Commons, has received cross-party support. Having completed its initial stages in the Commons on 12 March 2021, it is scheduled to be debated at second reading in the House of Lords on 19 March 2021. This article summarises the bill’s provisions and its passage through the Commons.
Catch up on social and home affairs with a selection of articles you may have missed. Articles this month include a look at poverty in the UK, and how public services use digital technology.
In Focus
This article looks at the history of the Royal Albert Hall, opened 150 years ago this month, and the impacts on the hall of Covid-19.
In Focus
Following the end of the transition period with the EU, UK musicians can no longer travel and work freely across the EU. In some countries, such as Spain and Germany, musicians will have to apply for a work permit if they want to be paid for performances. The EU and the UK have both said that they put forward proposals to prevent this outcome, but they could not come to an agreement.
In Focus
Medicinal and agrochemical products can be granted a Supplementary Protection Certificate, an intellectual property right associated with patents, to provide up to five years of additional rights and protections once their patents have expired. In order to apply for an SPC, a product must receive approval to be sold on the UK market. Under the Northern Ireland/Ireland Protocol, products to be sold in Northern Ireland must obtain approval under EU law, whilst products to be sold in the rest of the UK will obtain approval under UK law. Currently, this marketing authorisation is only given on a UK-wide basis. This regulation amends the market authorisation process to enable authorisations to be granted for the Northern Ireland market only and for the Great Britain market only.
In Focus
The Audiovisual Media Services (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 govern how on-demand programming and video-sharing platforms will be regulated after the Brexit transition period ends.
In Focus
The UK’s arts and entertainment sector has been one of the areas worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The decline in revenues and the number of workers furloughed over the past few months is second only to the accommodation and food sector. This article examines the impact of the pandemic on the UK’s cultural industry and the Government’s recently announced support package worth £1.57 billion aimed at helping the sector recover.
In Focus
The outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK saw the closure of places of worship, including churches, as part of measures to limit transmission of the virus. Churches were gradually reopened in June and July 2020. This article considers the ways in which churches and congregations were affected by this closure and the gradual reopening. It also summarises the discussion between the Government and religious bodies during this process.
In Focus
This article explores changes to the entitlement to free TV licences for the over 75s, and how the timetable for implementing this has been extended because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In Focus
While Covid-19 is expected to have a negative impact on UK tourism overall, the number of domestic tourists in the UK is expected to rise. This briefing considers the debate regarding the potential impact of increases in domestic tourism on seaside resorts.
In Focus
Global organisations, such as the WHO, have expressed concern about the levels of fake news and disinformation that have spread during the coronavirus pandemic. This article looks at some examples of this disinformation, the Government’s response to it and the action that social media companies have taken to combat fake news and disinformation.
Research Briefing
How will government policy support the re-opening of museums, galleries and historic buildings affected by the coronavirus pandemic? This briefing examines recent developments.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate on 5 March 2020 in the House of Lords on the following motion: Lord Young of Norwood Green to move that this House takes note of the role of the BBC and public service broadcasting to the United Kingdom’s economy and creative culture.
In Focus
In February 2020, the Conservative Government announced a consultation on whether non-payment of the TV licence fee should be decriminalised. This article summarises the arguments for and against decriminalisation and it provides statistics on license fee evasion prosecutions and imprisonments.
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