In Focus
In recent years, there has been a series of high-profile cases of gross misconduct and illegal behaviour by police officers. The government and policing bodies have recognised this has led to a loss of public trust and confidence in the police. This article examines some of the key inquiries into police standards and culture and discusses some of the commitments made by politicians and the police to restore public trust.
In Focus
In March 2023, the government published a ‘refresh’ of the 2021 integrated review of defence, security and foreign policy. This reaffirmed the broad direction of the earlier review but set out an updated strategic framework to inform future policy and resource decisions. This article summarises the refresh and selected reaction to it, ahead of a House of Lords debate on the UK’s role in the world and foreign policy.
In Focus
A range of groups have expressed concern in recent years about the overall strength of the UK’s democracy or about particular elements of the UK’s constitutional arrangements. Concerns range from observations that the relationship between Parliament and the executive has become increasingly unbalanced, to views on changes to certain rights, freedoms and norms seen as essential features in a democratic society.
In Focus
During the 2017–19 session, the House of Lords appointed a committee to examine citizenship and civic engagement in the UK. In 2022, the House of Lords Liaison Committee held a follow-up to this inquiry, considering issues including citizenship education in schools, the ‘life in the UK’ test, and whether the government’s policies in this area are coordinated effectively. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate its report on 17 April 2023.
In Focus
In 2022, the House of Lords Built Environment Committee conducted an inquiry on public transport in English towns and cities outside London, including local bus services. It considered levels of demand for local public transport, how demand may have been changed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the extent to which existing public transport services met local needs. This briefing provides a summary of the committee’s findings and the government’s response.
In Focus
In 2022 music, performance and visual arts contributed an estimated £11.5bn to the UK economy. The government supports the performing arts primarily through Arts Council England (ACE), which received £943mn from the government and National Lottery in 2021/22. To support its levelling up agenda, the government has asked ACE to distribute more of its funding outside London.
In Focus
On 29 March 2023, the House of Lords is due to debate regulations that would implement the Stormont brake in domestic law. These regulations were approved by the House of Commons on 22 March 2023. The Stormont brake is a key part of the Windsor Framework agreed between the UK and the EU. This briefing explains the background to the brake and how it would work, and includes reaction from political parties.
In Focus
The government has committed to significant reform of the rail and bus sectors. As part of that reform, it has provided funding to help these services recover from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and for capital expenditure. However, a recent government statement announced that some of these commitments, particularly around HS2, would be delayed in the light of current inflationary and cost pressures.
In Focus
Supported housing is accommodation where residents receive support, supervision or care. Housebuilding targets include targets for supported accommodation; however, housing associations and local authorities have argued that government funding is not sufficient to enable enough to be built. Concerns have been raised about the quality of supported housing, which is largely paid for by housing benefit.
In Focus
Newly recruited prison officers can draw their full occupational pension between the ages of 65 and 68, depending on their date of birth. The prison officers’ union argues such officers do a demanding physical job and regularly face violence, so requiring them to work until their late 60s is inappropriate and harmful. Ministers say they are open to discussions with the union but there are no plans to adjust prison officers’ retirement age.
In Focus
The House of Lords is to debate the financial pressures on higher education on 30 March 2023. This article looks at how the higher education system is funded and the financial challenges it faces. This includes long-term pressures, such as the decreasing real-terms value of tuition fees, and short-term issues linked to the pandemic and cost of living.
In Focus
On 30 March 2023, the House of Lords is due to debate adult social care. The debate is expected to focus on government plans for adult social care, new duties for the Care Quality Commission to assess local authorities, and several non-government reports on how adult social care in England should be reformed. This article considers these issues and outlines social care policy announcements made by successive Conservative administrations in recent years.
In Focus
In 2022, the House of Lords European Affairs Committee examined the relationship between the UK and EU in financial services. In its report, the committee said the UK’s financial services sector remained strong and that some challenges presented by Brexit had proven to be less significant than predicted. However, it warned the government against complacency, saying that ministers must ensure their future approach delivered for the sector and the wider UK economy.
In Focus
Developing countries have been identified as some of those most at risk from the effects of climate change. This includes many of the member states of the Commonwealth. The UK government has made a series of commitments to provide support to developing countries in order to mitigate these risks, including through aid spending and international climate finance. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate these policies on 30 March 2023.
In Focus
The chancellor of the exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, will deliver a budget on 15 March 2023. This article sets out the economic and fiscal backdrop for the budget, outlining some of the key issues the government is facing.
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