• In Focus

    Acute, primary and community healthcare

    There have been big differences in expenditure across different forms of healthcare for a number of years. In 2024/25, spending on acute care was £74.7bn, compared to £14.5bn on primary care and £13.8bn on community services. Both the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and the subsequent 10 year health plan for England contained an emphasis on shifting towards more care being delivered in local communities rather than in acute settings, dubbed a ‘neighbourhood health service’.

  • In Focus

    Threats to UK democracy: Disinformation, foreign interference and declining public trust

    Social media and other technologies have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for foreign powers to spread false information online aimed at undermining UK democracy. Such disinformation campaigns are one type of interference operation. In parallel, researchers have noted a link between declining public trust and societal polarisation, which can be exacerbated by online discourse. This briefing provides introductory reading to these issues, including recent reports and government announcements.

  • In Focus

    Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME): An overview

    Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term health condition that is estimated to affect over 400,000 people in the UK. It is a fluctuating condition with symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems and brain fog. In 2025 the government published its final delivery plan on ME, which aimed to improve care and support for those with the condition.

  • In Focus

    Recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission

    Concerns about abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives have increased in recent years. The Jo Cox Civility Commission made a number of recommendations in a 2024 report to address this because of concerns that this activity would dissuade people from standing in elections and encourage existing representatives to stand down. The government has instigated a number of policies to tackle the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.

  • In Focus

    Bosnia and Herzegovina: Political and security situation

    Recent tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina have raised concerns about stability and security in the country, particularly due to reports of external influence and recent secessionist rhetoric in Republika Srpska. This briefing outlines recent developments, international responses and the UK government’s position on Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of a House of Lords debate on the subject.

  • In Focus

    Welfare reforms and youth unemployment

    Concerns have been raised about levels of welfare spending in the UK and increasing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. This briefing sets out statistics, government policy and commentary on welfare and youth employment. This includes the government’s youth guarantee, its ‘Get Britain working’ policies and the interim report by Alan Milburn on young people and work.

  • In Focus

    Rural economy: UK government policy

    Rural areas contribute a significant proportion of England’s economic output. The government has announced several policies intended to support growth in the rural economy, including farming. However, it has faced criticism for the delay in outlining its overall strategy for the agricultural sector. This briefing provides data on the rural economy and summarises government policy and stakeholder reaction

  • In Focus

    Child poverty: Government policy

    The government established a taskforce in July 2024 to develop a strategy to reduce child poverty in the UK. Published in December 2025, the strategy included a combination of previously implemented and new policies. While charities, think tanks and other groups generally welcomed the strategy, particularly the removal of the two-child universal credit limit and extension of free school meals, some argued for further reforms to the social security system.

  • In Focus

    Building Safety Regulator: Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report

    In December 2025, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published its report ‘The Building Safety Regulator: Building a better regulator’. The committee found that delays caused by the regulator’s approval processes had delayed or disincentivised refurbishments, safety upgrades and the remediation of dangerous cladding in high-rise buildings. It made recommendations aimed at these addressing the issues. The government accepted the intent of the recommendations and set out information on how it would take them forward.

  • In Focus

    Electricity prices in Great Britain

    In recent years, electricity prices for both households and businesses have seen significant increases. This briefing sets out how electricity bills are calculated, how much on average they cost and how they compare internationally. It also provides commentary on why prices have been so high and gives an overview of government policy in this area.

  • In Focus

    Declining birth rates and population ageing: Impact and government response

    The UK’s low and declining birth rate, alongside increasing life expectancy, is contributing to population ageing. This has raised concerns about potential effects on the size of the workforce, demand for public services and economic growth. This briefing considers these issues and sets out the government’s response to such concerns.

  • In Focus

    Mental health conditions: Prevalence, impacts and government action

    Evidence indicates that diagnosis of common mental health conditions including depression and anxiety has been increasing over the past decade. With this trend particularly prevalent in the 16 to 24 age group, government-commissioned reviews have been exploring the impacts on education, work and participation in society and the economy. The government has also announced a call for evidence in May 2026 ahead of a new mental health strategy.

  • In Focus

    Reforming the Child Maintenance Service: Lords Public Services Committee report

    In October 2025, the House of Lords Public Services Committee published a report on reforming the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). It said several key areas must be improved to enable the CMS to work more effectively. The government accepted some recommendations and rejected others. The committee said it was pleased about certain actions the government had taken but it was disappointed by the lack of progress made in many areas.

  • In Focus

    House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee report: Recommendations, government response and recent developments

    The House of Lords Committee on the Autism Act 2009 called for the government to urgently develop a new autism strategy, tackling “persistent inequalities” experienced by autistic people in education, health, work, criminal justice and the community. The government has since commissioned an independent review into mental health conditions, autism and ADHD, launched a call for evidence to inform a mental health strategy, and announced a special educational needs reform bill.

  • In Focus

    New towns programme in England: Lords Built Environment Committee reports

    The government argues that a next generation of new towns is necessary in England to drive economic growth and tackle housing shortages. The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has published two reports on the government’s new towns programme, calling for strong leadership and dedicated resources to ensure the programme can deliver on its ambitious targets.

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