• In Focus

    Regulators’ role in growth: Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report

    The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published its report on regulation and economic growth in May 2026. The report identified a lack of clarity in the government’s plans for how regulators should support growth and recommended clearer guidance, potential legislative reform, better measurement of regulatory costs and improved coordination with regulators. The government responded to the committee in July 2026.

  • In Focus

    Hansard archive: General practitioners’ pay in the new NHS

    This briefing looks back 80 years to a House of Lords debate on the bill that proposed the setting up of the National Health Service. In committee, the House passed an amendment about doctors’ pay that illustrates a long-standing principle that remains today, taking in issues around doctors’ professional autonomy and the relationship between medicine and the state.

  • In Focus

    Resettlement of refugees through community sponsorship

    The government has announced plans for a new community sponsorship route for refugee resettlement. Sponsors would be responsible for providing refugees with accommodation, integration support and help finding work. Applications for charities and non-profits to become sponsors are due to open in October 2026. The government has not yet announced how many refugees it expects to admit through this route or what support may be available to sponsors.

  • In Focus

    Personal independence payment and other disability benefits and linked schemes

    The disability benefits system in England and Wales has been criticised by several parliamentary committees and by campaigners. The 2024 Labour Party manifesto included several proposals for reform, and these proposals are currently being assessed by two reviews commissioned by the Starmer government. This briefing outlines the main benefits and support schemes available to disabled people and carers in England and Wales, the impact of the current system, and proposals for reform.

  • In Focus

    Conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding: Role of the UN and UK

    This briefing examines the role of the United Nations and the UK in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. It outlines recent UN reforms to its peacebuilding architecture, assesses the UK’s approach and funding commitments, and considers debates about the effectiveness of international efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace amid rising global instability and pressure on development budgets.

  • In Focus

    Malvern Hills Bill [HL] Committee: Special report

    The House of Lords is due to debate a select committee report on the Malvern Hills Bill [HL] on 2 December 2026. This private bill, introduced in the 2024–26 session, would consolidate the law governing the Malvern Hills Trust and make some changes to the trust’s governance and powers. Following a high number of petitions against the bill, the committee made some amendments. The bill cannot progress this session unless both Houses agree to revive it.

  • In Focus

    Screen use, artificial intelligence and social media: Impact on children and young people

    Screens, social media and AI are a key and increasingly common part of children and young people’s lives. The use of these technologies may include both positive and negative effects, with concerns focused on the overall impact on young people’s health, development and safety. The government has announced it will introduce new guidance and restrictions to attempt to tackle these issues, including plans for a ban on under-16s using social media.

  • In Focus

    Debate on proposals for a written constitution

    The UK is one of the few democratic countries that does not have a codified constitution. Instead, the UK has a set of constitutional arrangements contained in various statutes, judicial decisions, conventions and precedents. The prime minister, Andy Burnham, has said his devolution agenda strengthens the case for a written constitution. This briefing summarises some of the arguments that have been made for and against a written constitution.

  • In Focus

    Hormone treatments and age consent: Government policy

    Puberty blockers as a treatment for gender incongruence or dysphoria are currently only available for people under the age of 18 as part of an approved clinical trial. NHS England has also paused prescribing cross-sex hormones for people under 18. This briefing summarises the policy position on the use of hormone treatments ahead of a debate in the Lords on the appropriate age of consent.

  • In Focus

    UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar

    The UK and the EU have agreed a treaty that would create a new framework for Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU following the end of the Brexit transition period at the end of 2020. The arrangements are aimed at creating a fluid land border between Gibraltar and Spain. The treaty has been provisionally applied by the parties since 15 July 2026.

  • In Focus

    Local government: Democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform

    The House of Lords is due to debate democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform in local government. This briefing examines local government in England, including government plans for further devolution, arrangements for local audit and scrutiny, and how citizens participate in local decision-making. It also considers voting systems for council and mayoral elections and proposals for electoral reform.

  • In Focus

    Threats to UK food security

    The UK produces most of its food but is dependent on imports for produce such as fruit and vegetables. Various government and independent reports have identified issues such as climate change and trade disruptions as potential food security threats. The Starmer government published a ‘Land use framework’ and a ‘Farming roadmap 2050’ that set out actions for the food and farming sectors to adapt to some of these challenges.

  • In Focus

    Family businesses in the UK

    Family businesses play an important role in the UK economy but face a range of challenges. This briefing outlines the contribution of family businesses, some of the challenges they face, and wider economic and business pressures. It summarises some of the government support available, as well as recent policy developments.

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