• In Focus

    Preparing for climate change

    Climate change is expected to have significant impacts across a range of domestic policy areas. Both the government and the independent Climate Change Committee, a statutory advisory body, agree on the need for significant adaption efforts to mitigate related risks. This summer the government is due to publish the latest edition of its five-yearly national adaption programme. This will detail how it plans to go about addressing climate risks and comes 15 years after the Climate Change Act 2008 became law.

  • In Focus

    Children and Families Act 2014: Lords committee report

    In December 2022, a House of Lords select committee published a report on the Children and Families Act 2014. It concluded the act was an example of “inadequate implementation” and had “largely missed” the opportunity to improve the lives of children and young people. In response, the government said the committee’s recommendations were at the heart of its plans to reform children’s social care. This article summarises the committee’s findings, as well as the government’s response.

  • In Focus

    UK-China relations

    The relationship between the UK and China is complex and multifaceted. In recent decades the relationship has been shaped by events such as the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty. Economic ties have also played a significant role in relations, with China being one of the UK’s largest trading partners. However, disagreements on issues such as human rights and governance in Hong Kong continue to strain relations.

  • In Focus

    International Widows’ Day

    On 23 June every year the UN marks International Widows’ Day. The aim of this day is to draw attention to challenges faced by widows around the world, including discrimination and economic exclusion. This article gives an overview of the day and issues affecting widows ahead of a House of Lords debate on the topic.

  • In Focus

    Charging ahead? Future of the UK car industry

    In recent years, concerns have been raised about the state of the UK’s car industry. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which represents car manufacturers in the UK, has reported that manufacturing decreased every year from 2016 to 2022. In addition, various companies have announced UK plant closures or capacity reductions. Concerns have also focused on the future of the industry. This article considers the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and examines one of the main challenges to this: the domestic production of batteries for EVs.

  • In Focus

    75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush generation

    22 June 2023 was the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the passengers of the Empire Windrush in the UK. The day celebrates the contribution and achievements of the Windrush generation and their descendants. This briefing provides background information for a debate in the House of Lords on marking this anniversary.

  • In Focus

    Our creative future: Communications and Digital Committee report

    In January 2023, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee published a report on the future of the UK’s creative industries. The report highlighted the contribution the sector makes to the UK economy and criticised the government for being “complacent” in its support for the sector. This article summarises the committee’s recommendations, the government’s response in April 2023, and the government’s ‘Creative industries sector vision’ (June 2023).

  • In Focus

    Emergency healthcare in crisis: Public Services Committee report

    In September 2022, the House of Lords Public Services Committee found that “emergency access to healthcare is in crisis”. The committee outlined an action plan which it said set out how the government could address some immediate challenges in the short term and begin developing a new model for emergency health services which are fit for purpose in the long term.

  • In Focus

    Trade unions: Members and relations with the government

    Ahead of a House of Lords debate on government support to skilled professional graduate workers who belong to a trade union, this briefing looks at the demographics of trade union membership. It also covers recent relations between the government and trade unions, especially over strikes, pay and the government’s Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill.

  • In Focus

    Economic growth, inflation and productivity

    Economic growth is considered important due to the role it plays in providing jobs and improving living standards. But productivity growth, a key driver of higher living standards, has slowed in the UK since 2008. With high inflation now impacting living standards, increased attention is being paid to understanding and tackling the productivity slowdown. The House of Lords is due to debate the UK economy on 29 June 2023.

  • In Focus

    Geothermal energy: Potential for heat and power in Great Britain

    Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that harnesses heat from the Earth's subsurface to generate power and provide heating and cooling. It potentially offers several opportunities as a sustainable and reliable energy solution. However, its adoption faces challenges, including potential environmental impacts and high costs. This article examines geothermal energy in further detail and discusses the action that successive governments have taken on it.

  • In Focus

    NHS eating disorder services

    In 2017, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) published a report following the death of Averil Hart, a 19-year-old with anorexia. It concluded that Averil’s death had been avoidable, linking it to failings in NHS eating disorder services. During the coronavirus pandemic there was an increase in demand for eating disorder services, particularly among young people. The House of Lords is due to debate the progress made in implementing the PHSO report’s recommendations.

  • In Focus

    Tackling violence against women and girls in the UK

    The UK government has labelled violence against women and girls as a national threat. It has committed to a range of actions to protect women and girls against harm in strategies focused on tackling violence against women and girls and domestic abuse. The government has also introduced measures through legislation such as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate this issue on 29 June 2023.

  • In Focus

    Roles of the lord chancellor and the law officers: Lords committee report

    In January 2023, the House of Lords Constitution Committee published a report on the roles of the lord chancellor and the law officers. It concluded the office holders must have the character, authority, intellect and independence to defend the rule of law. In response, the government said it had no plans to review the roles but would continue to reflect on the committee’s report. This article summarises the committee’s findings, as well as the government’s response.

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