Research Briefing
The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill is a government bill scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 8 January 2025. It is intended to make it easier for local transport authorities to franchise bus services in their area. It also includes measures on bus data, enforcement powers, accessibility of bus stops, safeguarding checks and training for bus drivers and zero-emissions buses.
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
Noise and light pollution can be harmful to both humans and wildlife. This briefing looks at their effects and how noise and light are regulated.
In Focus
Renewable energy generation can depend on factors like weather conditions and daylight hours. Long-duration energy storage technologies store excess power for long periods to even out the supply. In March 2024, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said increasing the UK’s long-duration energy storage capacity would support the UK’s net zero plans and energy security. The government has announced an investment support scheme, to launch in 2025.
In Focus
The rural economy in the UK is made up of a variety of different industries, including agriculture and tourism. Rural areas contribute a significant proportion of the UK’s economic output. However, figures for England indicate productivity in rural areas is lower when compared with urban areas. This briefing provides a summary of statistics on the rural economy and outlines some of the challenges for achieving economic growth.
In Focus
In the autumn budget the chancellor announced changes to inheritance tax reliefs. From April 2026, taxes would apply to agricultural assets over £1mn (or up to £3mn in certain circumstances). The government has said this would just affect the wealthiest landowners and disincentivise buying agricultural land to avoid tax. Farming groups have argued the policy is a threat to the future of family farming and the UK's food security.
Research Briefing
The Public Authority Algorithmic and Automated Decision-Making Systems Bill [HL] aims to regulate the usage of algorithmic and automated decision-making systems across the public sector, making the use of such systems more transparent and fair, and mitigating against the risks arising from such technologies such as bias and discrimination. It is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat). It is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 December 2024.
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.
In Focus
Labour has committed to decarbonising the UK’s electricity system by 2030, saying this would help the UK achieve its 2050 net zero target. This briefing discusses how much renewable energy contributes to Great Britain’s electricity currently, how much it costs to generate electricity from renewable energy sources and estimates for the total cost of transitioning to a zero-carbon power system, and issues around the need to invest in supporting infrastructure such as storage technologies and grid upgrades.
Research Briefing
The Great British Energy Bill is a government bill which would establish Great British Energy, a new government-owned clean energy company. The government has said the new company will support the creation of new jobs by investing in the clean energy sector. It has also asserted that, by reducing the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels, it would help drive down the UK’s energy costs and ensure the country’s long-term energy security.
Research Briefing
There are two types of property in established case law: things in possession (usually tangible objects) and things in action (like debts or the right to sue). Digital assets do not fall neatly into either category. While the law has been flexible in practice in considering them property, this Law Commission bill aims to remove uncertainty by legally establishing a third type of property. This is intended to provide more clarity in cases involving digital assets, including settlements, divorces, or disputed ownership.
In Focus
Although it is hard to measure the true economic value of science and technology, the government and commentators agree on the importance of these sectors for UK economic growth, productivity and society. This briefing presents figures relating to the estimated economic contribution of science and technology across the UK, discusses challenges faced by related sectors, and summarises recent government policies announced to support their growth.
In Focus
In July 2024, the government published amendments to its longstanding agreement with the US on the sharing of nuclear materials, technology, and information. The government has also reached a new agreement with the US and Australia to support the development of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet. The House of Lords is due to debate two reports by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee on these two agreements.
In Focus
The government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050. This 2050 target was introduced by the Conservative government. The current government has announced several policies, including measures intended to increase UK renewable energy production. On 24 October 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the economic impact of these policies, including their impact on jobs and growth.
In Focus
Rural areas and communities face a number of challenges compared to urban areas. These include transport difficulties, less choice over services, education and employment, and poor broadband or mobile phone coverage. Some surveys have suggested that many people, particularly younger people, are considering leaving rural communities as a result. This briefing summarises some of these challenges and the government policies seeking to address them.
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