• In Focus

    AI in Weapon Systems Committee report: Proceed with caution

    A House of Lords special inquiry committee has recommended that the government proceeds with caution on the development and use of artificial intelligence in weapon systems. This includes adopting an operational definition for autonomous weapon systems and ensuring human control at all stages of such systems’ lifecycle. The government has committed to ensuring meaningful human control and accountability throughout the lifecycle of AI-enabled military systems, but not to adopting an operational definition.

  • In Focus

    UK-India relations: 2030 roadmap and future trade partnership

    The UK and India have a complex and multifaceted history. In recent years, their relationship has focused on political and economic cooperation. Both countries have agreed to a framework setting out future relations and are currently negotiating a free trade agreement. With India’s next general election scheduled to take place between April and June 2024, this briefing analyses the potential trajectory of UK-India relations.

  • In Focus

    Built Environment Committee report: Impact of environmental regulations on development

    The government has committed to increase house building and improve the UK’s infrastructure while also protecting and improving the natural environment. The balance between these two objectives has been considered by the House of Lords Built Environment Committee in a report on the impact of environmental regulations on development. This article summarises the committee’s conclusions and the government’s response ahead of a House of Lords debate on the report.

  • In Focus

    Horticultural Sector Committee report: ‘Sowing the seeds: A blooming English horticultural sector’

    In a report published in November 2023 the House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee highlighted the importance of the horticultural sector to the UK. The report detailed impacts of the sector on the economy, food supply, wellbeing and net zero ambitions. However, it said the industry faced a number of challenges and was not being given the attention or support it deserved. The committee’s report listed 93 recommendations for the government to help the sector meet these challenges and realise its potential.

  • In Focus

    ‘Undergrounding’ electrical transmission cables

    There are 4,500 miles of overhead electricity transmission lines in England and Wales. This contrasts with just over 900 miles of underground cables. ‘Undergrounding’, the replacement of overhead cables with underground cables, is used in limited circumstances, such as in nationally designated landscapes. There have been calls for an increase in undergrounding. However, the government has pointed to several issues, including the higher cost of underground cables.

  • In Focus

    River pollution and the regulation of private water companies

    Only 14% of rivers in England have a good ecological status and none have a good chemical status. Agriculture, wastewater and diffuse urban pollution are the main sources of pollution affecting water bodies in England. In recent years, the failure of water companies to prevent sewage discharges has attracted attention, and questions have been asked about whether the government and bodies such as Ofwat and the Environment Agency are doing enough to regulate water companies and enforce environmental law.

  • In Focus

    Water and sewage companies: Executive remuneration

    Following concern over several issues including pollution and poor customer service, the remuneration of senior executives in the water industry has come under scrutiny. Ofwat, the economic regulator of the sector, has announced tighter measures on water company executive bonuses when they have not been sufficiently earned. Ofwat is also to consult on measures to ban water company executives from receiving bonuses if a company has committed serious criminal breaches.

  • In Focus

    New licensing for pet primates

    Thousands of primates are being kept as pets in the UK. The government is legislating to introduce licensing and higher welfare standards to end primates being kept in low welfare domestic environments. This briefing looks at the issue and the legislation.

  • In Focus

    Digital exclusion in the UK: Communications and Digital Committee report

    In 2023, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee published a report on digital exclusion in which it called for the government to devise a new strategy and create a dedicated unit to address the issue. The committee argued the government’s approach lacked ambition. The government has said the issue is a priority and has established a dedicated ministerial group.

  • Research Briefing

    Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill: HL Bill 39 of 2023–24

    The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill would end the export of certain animals for fattening and slaughter from and through England, Wales and Scotland. Campaigns have highlighted the suffering of animals on long journeys, and it is a government manifesto commitment to end the practice. The bill passed through the House of Commons unamended. The second reading of the bill in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on 21 February 2024.

  • In Focus

    Environmental land management: Recent changes to the sustainable farming incentive and countryside stewardship schemes

    The government is part way through the implementation of the environmental land management scheme in England. This replaces the system of financial support established during the UK’s membership of the EU common agricultural policy. This briefing considers how this scheme has been implemented, including recently announced changes. It also considers how support for biodiversity and the control of certain invasive species is provided through the environmental land management scheme.

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