In Focus
This briefing examines existing plastic recycling waste targets and discusses whether those targets are being met. It also details successive governments’ policies on plastic recycling. It has been prepared ahead of Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville’s (Liberal Democrat) question for short debate on 20 November 2025 on the progress the government has made in achieving plastic recycling targets.
In Focus
The UK has been described as “one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth”. Legally binding biodiversity targets apply under the Environment Act 2021. Work is underway to gather data to measure progress towards them. Government policies to improve biodiversity include local nature recovery strategies, environmental land management schemes, biodiversity net gain and introducing a nature restoration levy through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. However, nature groups have argued the levy may work to reduce environmental protection.
Research Briefing
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill is a government bill. It was introduced in the House of Lords on 20 October 2025 and is due to receive its second reading on 20 November 2025. The bill would introduce a revenue certainty mechanism to support the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UK. It would do this by designating a counterparty (a company wholly owned by the government) to engage in contracts with SAF producers to guarantee the price of the sale of eligible SAF. The government has said that SAF is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, as SAF is a ‘drop-in fuel’ that does not require modifications to existing aircraft. Current supply of SAF is limited. The government has claimed the bill would support SAF production in the UK by providing revenue certainty and thereby reducing risk to investors in SAF production facilities. There was broad cross-party support for the bill during its House of Commons stages.
In Focus
The government has brought forward the target of decarbonising the electricity system by five years to 2030 as part of plans to achieve net zero. The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee considered the government’s plans to achieve this target as part of its recent inquiry on the energy grid and grid connections. The committee found that while the target is achievable, it is “a significant challenge”. The committee made a number of recommendations in light of this finding and others which are outlined in this briefing alongside the government’s responses.
In Focus
Every day, police officers across the country use a variety of technologies in the course of their duties. Some of these technologies have been used for almost a century, while others have been introduced in recent years. This briefing explores policing’s historic use of technology, some of the recent technological developments and the potential opportunities and risks they present.
In Focus
On 12 April 2025, Parliament was recalled to fast-track the passage of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. The government has used the act to direct the operations of British Steel Ltd, which was in danger of collapse. British Steel operates the UK’s remaining blast furnaces at its site in Scunthorpe. This briefing summarises the challenges the UK steel industry has faced in recent years, how the act’s powers have been used in the case of British Steel, and wider government policy on steel.
Research Briefing
The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill is a private member’s bill that would enable national authorities in each part of the UK to make regulations on the import of dogs, cats and ferrets with the aim of protecting their welfare.
Research Briefing
The Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill is a private member’s bill, supported by the government, that would amend the Space Industry Act 2018 to require all spaceflight operator licences to specify a limit on a licence holder's liability for damage or loss. This is intended to encourage investment in the UK space industry by ensuring that operators are not subject to unlimited liability.
In Focus
US scientists have used a breakthrough therapy to edit an infant’s DNA and correct a life-threatening mutation. Preliminary results suggest the approach may have been successful, potentially paving the way for addressing a range of genetic diseases. This briefing investigates this cutting-edge technology and considers the key challenges of regulatory approval and high costs.
Research Briefing
The bill aims to strengthen the law on livestock worrying in England and Wales. Dogs chasing and attacking livestock can cause death, distress and pregnancy loss in animals, as well as financial and emotional impacts for farmers. The bill would increase penalties, expand the definition of livestock and the locations where incidents take place, and give police more powers of evidence collection and dog detention.
Research Briefing
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill would make changes to the system for approving major infrastructure projects, planning committees and nature recovery. It would also make changes to electricity and transport infrastructure processes, development corporations, spatial development strategies, and compulsory purchase. The government intends the bill to help grow the economy by enabling important infrastructure and homes to be built more quickly. Some parts of the bill, particularly those related to nature recovery, have attracted criticism from opposition parties and external bodies.
In Focus
The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is a pan-European satellite navigation system that augments global satellite systems, improving their accuracy and making them suitable for safety-critical applications such as flying aircraft or navigating ships through narrow channels. As a result of its departure from the European Union, the UK no longer participates in the EGNOS programme. Some stakeholders have called for the UK to reinstate the EGNOS system, particularly whilst a UK alternative is developed.
In Focus
Wildfires can harm people and ecosystems and damage property and the environment. Almost all wildfires in the UK are the result of accidental or deliberate acts by humans. Their frequency and severity have been increasing in recent years, with the area burned so far in 2025 already setting records. The National Fire Chiefs Council has called for more resourcing, consistency and coordination to mitigate the effects of future wildfires.
In Focus
In September 2024 the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee launched an inquiry into the scaleup challenges facing startup enterprises working with artificial intelligence (AI) and creative technology. In a report published in February 2025, the committee warned the UK risked becoming an incubator economy where UK startups developed innovative products and services before selling out or moving abroad. This briefing summarises the report’s recommendations and the government’s response.
In Focus
National policy statements (NPSs) inform decision-making for nationally significant infrastructure projects. The current NPS for nuclear power generation (EN-6) has effect for listed nuclear projects capable of being deployed by the end of 2025. Both the current and previous governments have consulted on a new NPS (EN-7) that would apply to nuclear power stations expected to be deployed after 2025. This briefing gives an overview of NPSs, the proposed new NPS for nuclear power generation and the reaction to it, as well as the current government’s policy on nuclear energy.
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