• In Focus

    Mobile phones in schools: Mandating a ban?

    Academic research suggests that mobile phones in schools can adversely affect pupils’ educational attainment and contribute to problems such as bullying. But some experts point to potential learning benefits and argue that a blanket ban on phones could prove ineffective and counterproductive. Government guidance discourages the use of phones in schools but defers to school leaders on prohibiting their use. Most schools in England already have policies limiting the use of phones.

  • In Focus

    Politicisation of the civil service

    The idea of civil service impartiality, defined as the ability to serve the government of the day without fear or favour, is one of the core values promoted by the civil service code. Several recent events have led to debate on whether the civil service has become more politicised and the extent to which that is desirable. This briefing examines that history, and the arguments for and against a more politicised civil service, ahead of a forthcoming debate in the House of Lords.

  • In Focus

    Large language models and generative AI: House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee report

    In February 2024 the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee published a report on large language models and generative AI. It highlighted the opportunities and risks this technology offers, and recommended actions the government should take to support the market while mitigating risks. The new government has said it will legislate to address safety risks arising from generative AI.

  • In Focus

    Grenfell Tower Inquiry: House of Lords debate

    The Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its final report in September 2024. It found the fire was the “culmination of decades of failure by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry”. It also concluded there had been “systematic dishonesty” from the manufacturers of certain cladding panels and insulation about their products. This briefing covers the inquiry’s recommendations and responses from different stakeholders ahead of a debate in the House of Lords.

  • In Focus

    UK-EU relationship and the war in Ukraine: Lords committee report

    The House of Lords European Affairs Committee welcomed the EU and UK response to the war in Ukraine “in general terms”. In its January 2024 report, the committee said some areas of UK-EU cooperation had been broadly effective. The committee said the report’s aim was to consider a longer-term approach and make recommendations to strengthen the UK-EU response. It called for more formal arrangements in several security and foreign policy areas.

  • In Focus

    Rule of law: Principles, challenges and government commitments

    Current and recent governments agree that the rule of law is a fundamental British value. However, the House of Lords Constitution Committee and legal sector organisations have raised concerns that the rule of law has been eroded. Law officers in the Labour government have committed to uphold and promote the rule of law.

  • 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

    Budget 2024: Impact on the cultural sector

    On 30 October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her first budget which included the details of the settlement for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It also contained more general measures which relate to the cultural sector. This briefing gives an overview of how the cultural sector is currently funded, what was said in the budget in this area and what the sector has said in reaction to the announcements.

  • In Focus

    Renewable energy: Costs

    Labour has committed to decarbonising the UK’s electricity system by 2030, saying this would help the UK achieve its 2050 net zero target. This briefing discusses how much renewable energy contributes to Great Britain’s electricity currently, how much it costs to generate electricity from renewable energy sources and estimates for the total cost of transitioning to a zero-carbon power system, and issues around the need to invest in supporting infrastructure such as storage technologies and grid upgrades.

  • In Focus

    Future of the university sector: Report from Universities UK

    Universities UK has put forward proposals to reform the higher education sector to ensure that it is able to “deliver for the nation into the 2030s”. In a report published in September 2024, it called for five big shifts: expand opportunity; improve collaboration; generate local growth; secure future strength; and establish a global strategy. The government has said it would set out its plans for reform in the coming months.

  • In Focus

    House of Lords reform: Government policy and recent developments

    Labour’s manifesto committed the party to several House of Lords reforms ahead of a longer-term ambition to replace the House with an alternative second chamber. The Labour government has since introduced a bill to remove hereditary peers from the House’s membership as a first step in its reform programme. Further measures, for example around introducing a mandatory retirement age and a participation requirement, are expected to follow later in the parliament.

  • In Focus

    Autumn budget 2024: Key announcements and analysis

    The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, used her first budget to announce a significant increase in public spending, financed by a combination of tax rises and higher borrowing. Commentators noted that the extra day-to-day spending would mean better funded public services and that more spending on public investment could support the economy’s long-run growth potential. However, they also anticipated a squeeze in household income growth and highlighted the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast that there would be no medium-term boost to GDP from the measures.

  • In Focus

    Threat posed by Hezbollah

    Hezbollah is an armed Shiite militia group, backed by Iran, which exerts considerable influence in Lebanon. It has been a proscribed in its entirety by the UK as a terrorist organisation since 2019. The current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel continues. Hezbollah has fired rockets at Israeli territory whilst Israel has launched retaliatory airstrikes—including that which saw the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah—and has launched an armed incursion into southern Lebanon. The UK has called for an immediate ceasefire to provide space for a diplomatic settlement.

  • In Focus

    Impact of tax policy on employment

    This briefing examines taxes on employment in the UK and internationally, exploring the potential relationship between taxation and employment. It has been prepared ahead of the upcoming House of Lords debate on the government’s assessment of the impact of tax policy on employment.

  • In Focus

    UK defence spending: 2.5% of GDP target

    NATO guidelines suggest each member state should spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence. In line with pledges made by the previous Conservative administration, the Labour government has committed to raising UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. It is unclear over what time period that increase will occur, however, and ministers have further indicated that difficult choices on defence spending may be required in light of current economic conditions.

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