In Focus
This briefing examines the increasingly volatile international security environment and the UK government’s defence strategy and investment commitments to make the armed forces “fit for war in the 21st century”.
In Focus
The 2025 strategic defence review recommended the government bring forward a defence readiness bill to provide for powers to mobilise reserves and industry should crisis escalate into conflict. Amid criticism that such a measure was not included in the May 2026 King’s Speech, the government has indicated it will introduce a bill later in the current parliament. There have been calls for the bill to cover national resilience matters more broadly when it is introduced.
In Focus
Even as the war in the country continues, Ukraine has implemented significant reform and decentralisation of its public sector in an attempt to improve effectiveness as well as local and regional participation, accountability, and growth. Observers suggest Ukraine has made notable progress in these areas, but considerable obstacles remain. Addressing these challenges could, they argue, be key to Ukraine’s resilience and post-war recovery.
In Focus
The UK has reduced official development assistance (ODA) from 0.7% of gross national income in 2020 to a planned 0.3% by 2027. This briefing examines the government's approach to supporting women and girls within a reduced aid budget, recent changes to ODA allocations, and assessments of the implications for women and girls.
In Focus
The government has stated that it will publish a modern service framework for dementia and frailty by the end of 2026. It intends for the framework to help improve access to treatment, diagnosis and support for those living with dementia or frailty. This briefing provides statements on the framework, including from the government, stakeholders and Baroness Casey of Blackstock (Crossbench), who is chairing a review of adult social care.
In Focus
The House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee has examined the UK’s potential role in emerging economic opportunities presented by the growth of space exploration and commercialisation. To harness these opportunities, the committee said that the UK’s space sector requires clearer strategic direction, an updated funding structure, and better cross-government working. It called on ministers to champion the space sector as crucial to future economic growth and national resilience.
In Focus
The House of Lords Constitution Committee published its report on the rule of law in November 2025. This followed concerns of a reported decline in adherence to the rule of law globally and domestically. The committee examined different understandings of the rule of law in the UK and its operation within government, Parliament and the judiciary. The committee made several recommendations, which the government responded to in February 2026.
In Focus
The organisation Freedom in the Arts published a report in 2026 detailing its concerns about cancellations and boycotts in the arts sector. The report set out a number of findings and recommendations on the issue. This briefing summarises the report and provides government and Arts Council England statements on freedom of expression in the arts ahead of a House of Lords debate.
In Focus
The UK’s music industry has been described as “a cultural and economic powerhouse”. The live music sector in particular has been labelled a “significant contributor” to this success, generating £6.68bn in consumer spending and supporting over 230,000 jobs in 2024. However, stakeholders have argued the sector is facing challenges, particularly at the grassroots level. This briefing explores these issues and provides an overview of the government’s policies in this area.
In Focus
This briefing examines issues relating to the affordability and quality of higher education in England, in the context of the government’s post-16 education and skills white paper published in autumn 2025. It outlines changes to the current system of tuition fees and student finance, including the introduction of the lifelong learning entitlement, inflation-linked increases and targeted maintenance grants. It also covers the role of the Office for Students in regulating the quality of higher education and proposals for reforming this framework.
In Focus
The Electoral Commission is the regulator for political party funding in the UK. Through the Representation of the People Bill, the government is seeking to expand the commission’s civil sanctions remit and increase the fines it can impose.
In Focus
The UK is a signatory to the convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine. The commission would assess claims for compensation for damage and losses caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has broadly welcomed the convention, but also raised concerns about the scope and efficacy of the commission.
In Focus
In January 2026, the government announced a new scheme to support urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship. Called the ‘Places of worship renewal fund for England’, it replaced the ‘Listed places of worship grant scheme’ which had run since 2001. This briefing provides an overview of both schemes, the government’s reasoning for the change and the reaction of stakeholders.
In Focus
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
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.
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