In Focus
In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining populations of Atlantic salmon, with work taking place to address this issue. This briefing provides a summary of this policy area. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean’s (Conservative) 12 September 2024 debate on what steps the government is taking to protect Atlantic salmon populations.
In Focus
On 18 July 2024, the independent UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its first report, which focused on the UK’s pandemic resilience and preparedness. It contained 10 key recommendations. The chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has urged the UK government and the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to implement her recommendations promptly. On 3 September 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the inquiry’s report.
In Focus
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published a report in February 2024 examining the accountability, independence and performance of UK regulators. The committee highlighted several issues, including the perceived influence of political factors in the appointment and reappointment of regulatory leaders, rather than suitability for the role. The House of Lords is due to debate the report on 9 September 2024.
In Focus
In 2022, the Conservative UK government joined an international agreement committing it to restoring 30% of the UK’s land and sea by 2030. The new Labour government has also committed to this “30 by 30” target. In 2023, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee reported that the UK was not on course to meet this target and offered several recommendations to the government on how this could be addressed.
In Focus
This briefing provides an overview of recent government policy on increasing trade and business opportunities with the African continent. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Popat’s (Conservative) debate scheduled on 12 September 2024 on what steps the government is taking to raise awareness among United Kingdom businesses of commercial opportunities in African markets, and support United Kingdom exports to Africa.
In Focus
Modern methods of construction (MMC) refers to a range of building methods that are designed to be more efficient and effective than traditional construction techniques. The House of Lords Built Environment Committee was critical of the Conservative government’s approach to MMC and called for a coherent strategy to promote MMC use in housebuilding. The new Labour government has said it will publish a new long-term housing strategy in the coming months.
In Focus
As of 2018, around 6% of House of Lords members were from ethnic minorities, doubling from nearly 3% in 2000. In comparison, following the 2024 general election, nearly 14% of MPs are from ethnic minorities. As its membership is appointed, the House of Lords’ diversity is largely dependent on the frequency and scale of appointments, which are in the power of the prime minister.
In Focus
This briefing explores the history of life peerages and prospects for appointing peers outside of the Life Peerages Act 1958.
In Focus
This briefing provides a summary of work over recent years towards a national library strategy, including Baroness Sanderson of Welton’s independent review of public libraries. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay’s (Conservative) debate scheduled for 12 September 2024 on whether the Labour government plans to publish a new strategy for public libraries.
In Focus
The House of Lords Education for 11–16 Year Olds Committee argued in a report published in 2023 that “urgent change” was needed in 11–16 education, including revising the curriculum, reducing the volume of exams at 16 and reforming school performance measures. The House of Lords is due to debate the report on 26 July 2024. The Labour government has launched a review of the curriculum and the assessment system, due to report in 2025.
In Focus
The number of community sentences issued by courts in England and Wales has declined since 2012. A recent House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee report concluded that community sentences were falling short of their potential. The committee said better use of community sentences would help cut crime and ease pressure on prisons. The House of Lords is due to debate the report on 26 July 2024.
In Focus
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is 75 years old this summer. This briefing looks back through the Hansard archives to the debate where the House approved the signing of the treaty and finds some themes raised by members that still resonate today.
In Focus
Common law long provided that peers of parliament could not vote in general elections. In the last 25 years, this has been put on a statutory footing and peers who are members of the House of Lords remain barred from voting. This briefing explores how this came to be and looks at recent attempts to change this disenfranchisement.
In Focus
During the 2023–24 session, the UK government introduced legislation to raise the age each year at which someone can legally buy tobacco products. This was similar to measures introduced in New Zealand which were recently reversed. This briefing looks at developments in New Zealand and how they have informed the debate on the UK government’s proposals.
In Focus
This briefing is the fourth of a series on the post-war history of the UK economy. The series proceeds decade-by-decade from the 1950s onwards, providing an overview of the key macroeconomic developments of each decade. This briefing looks at the 1980s. The decline in the profitability of industry, which began in the 1960s, was reversed in this decade; however, the share of national income received by workers fell to a post-war low.
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