Improving social mobility: Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee report

Social mobility can broadly be defined as the link between the socio-economic circumstances someone grew up in and their own outcomes as adults. Numerous factors affect social mobility, including ethnicity, gender and regional inequality. The House of Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee published a report in November 2025 considering how education and work opportunities could be better integrated to improve social mobility in the UK.

Improving social mobility: Lords Social Mobility Policy Committee report

Government’s political and legislative agenda

Andy Burnham became UK prime minister on 20 July 2026. Since then, the government has made a series of policy announcements and has provided an indication of its political priorities, particularly regarding the devolution of powers to local areas. This briefing summarises those announcements ahead of a debate in the House of Lords on the government’s political and legislative plans.

Government’s political and legislative agenda

Skills and post 16 education policy: Reducing barriers and supporting regional growth

Research has suggested workforce skills and qualifications are linked to employment rates, earnings and economic productivity, with disadvantaged groups more likely to have poorer educational and labour market outcomes. Official statistics also show that disadvantaged pupils are at greater risk of not sustaining a destination in education, apprenticeships or employment. This briefing outlines government policies on skills, apprenticeships, further and higher education and regional devolution aimed at improving opportunities and supporting economic growth.

Skills and post 16 education policy: Reducing barriers and supporting regional growth

  • In Focus

    Parliamentary sessions: Years without a King’s Speech

    A speech by the sovereign at the start of a parliamentary session usually takes place every year. However, there have been seven years since 1900 without a speech. Most can be ascribed to the preceding session being longer than average. The most recent year without a King’s Speech was 2025, resulting from the Starmer government’s decision to extend the session beginning in July 2024 until April 2026.

  • In Focus

    Home ownership in England

    Home ownership in England has fallen by 6% since 2003. The ratio of average house prices to earnings has risen significantly and many people who would like to buy a home cannot. The reasons for the increase in unaffordability are debated and include foreign investment, cheap credit and insufficient housebuilding. The government has committed to delivering 1.5mn new homes by the end of the parliament, supported by planning reforms and investment in affordable housing.

  • In Focus

    Quality and reliability of parcel delivery services

    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

    Using patient data for research: Challenges and policy developments

    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

    Forced labour in UK supply chains: Joint Committee on Human Rights report

    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

    International energy markets explained

    While energy demand has grown at a steady rate for most of the past decade overall, the global energy market has been affected by several shocks including the Covid-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. This briefing looks at global energy consumption and the issues which affect energy prices around the world.

  • In Focus

    Debating public debt: Perspectives compared

    Public debt in the UK has risen since the 2008 global financial crisis, and interest payments on that debt have increased substantially. This briefing examines three broad perspectives on public debt: first, that high public debt poses a risk to economic growth; second, that deficit financing can be beneficial and the cost of public debt is lower than generally assumed; and third, that the government’s role as a currency issuer allows for a new perspective on public debt.

  • In Focus

    Jury trials: International models and reform proposals

    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

    Reforming the police: Proposed changes for professional development, accountability and representation

    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

    Ending ministerial by-elections: Lords debate 1926

    The recent King’s Speech confirmed plans to lower the voting age to 16. A century earlier, Parliament examined proposals for a very different constitutional change: ending ministerial by-elections. Introduced in the 18th century as a safeguard against crown influence, ministerial by-elections were later viewed by some as outdated. For others, they were an important democratic safeguard. This briefing examines the Lords second reading debate on the bill that abolished the by-elections.

  • In Focus

    Ministers in the House of Lords: Role and accountability to Parliament

    Ministers are needed in the House of Lords to take legislation through the House and answer for the government during questions and debates. Some cabinet ministers are appointed from the Lords. For example, the leader of the House of Lords is always a member of the Lords. This briefing looks at the role of ministers in the House of Lords and how they are scrutinised.

  • In Focus

    House of Lords reform: Hereditary members at the end of the 2024–26 session

    The right for hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords has come to an end. This briefing lists the last hereditary peers sitting in the House of Lords when the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act passed into law in March 2026, together with their length of service as a hereditary member. It also notes those who have returned to the House as life peers.

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