• In Focus

    Transnational repression in the UK: Joint Committee on Human Rights report

    In the UK, the term transnational repression is widely accepted to refer to instances of intimidation, violence and harassment by a state against people in another state. Evidence has suggested that various countries, including China, Russia and Iran, have conducted transnational repression on UK soil in recent years. In its report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights explored the issue, its impact on human rights and whether enough support and protections are available. This briefing provides an overview of the committee’s findings and the government’s response.

  • In Focus

    Financial Services Regulation Committee report on the secondary international competitiveness and growth objective

    The House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee held an inquiry into the progress made by financial services regulators in strengthening the international competitiveness of the UK economy. The committee’s report, published in June 2025, highlighted cultural and regulatory barriers undermining this objective. The government and regulators stated that the committee’s recommendations align closely with planned and ongoing reforms. On 11 March 2026 the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the Financial Services Regulation Committee report ‘Growing pains: Clarity and culture change required’, published on 13 June 2025.

  • In Focus

    UK-India trade deal

    This briefing provides details on the trade deal signed between the UK and India in July 2025. It includes information on parliamentary scrutiny of the deal, including the report by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee. The government expects the deal to boost UK trade with India and UK GDP. However, concerns have been raised over ongoing negotiations for a ‘double contributions convention’ with India and the potential impact of the deal on certain UK sectors.

  • In Focus

    UK flour milling sector

    The flour milling sector produces flour for a variety of foods, including bread, biscuits, cakes and other products. This briefing provides an overview of the contribution of the flour milling sector to the UK economy, including its contribution to employment.

  • In Focus

    Waste crime: Role of the Environment Agency

    In September 2025, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee held a short inquiry into waste crime. It argued the issue was critically under-prioritised and expressed concern that the Environment Agency had failed to pursue repeated reports of serious waste crime. The government has said that it is making reforms in this area and is investing in the Environment Agency.

  • In Focus

    Reforming the law on donations to political parties

    The Labour Party pledged to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties in its manifesto. The government subsequently published a “strategy for modern and secure elections” in July 2025. An independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics is currently examining the issue and is expected to report by the end of March 2026. The review’s recommendations are expected to inform a future elections bill.

  • In Focus

    ‘Better prisons, less crime’: Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee report

    In July 2025, the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee published its report ‘Better prisons, less crime’ following an inquiry into prison culture which focused on governance, leadership and staffing. The committee found that “prisons are currently operating in a state of crisis” and made recommendations aimed at addressing issues it had identified. The government accepted the majority of these recommendations and said that many were already a work in progress.

  • In Focus

    Countering extremism: UK strategy

    The government’s current approach to tackling extremism focuses on using the Prevent programme to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. There have been calls for the government to develop a separate counter-extremism strategy. Under both current and previous government there have been several reviews of the UK’s counter-extremism policies. The government has not committed to introducing a new strategy but has said it is considering advice on improving its approach.

  • In Focus

    Private members’ bills and the Parliament Acts

    It has been suggested that the Parliament Acts could be used to pass the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill if it does not complete all its House of Lords stages before the end of the 2024–26 parliamentary session. This briefing considers how the Parliament Acts apply to private members’ bills.

  • In Focus

    Public Order Act 2023 (Interference with Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025

    New government regulations would designate UK life sciences facilities as key national infrastructure, extending police powers to act against protest activity at such facilities. The government argues the changes are necessary to protect these sites from ongoing disruptive activity, much of which is directed against the use of animals in scientific research. Campaigners have criticised the plans as an infringement on the right to protest and unnecessary legislative overreach.

  • In Focus

    Superintelligent AI: Should its development be stopped?

    Artificial superintelligence (ASI) is a hypothetical future form of AI with cognitive functions and highly developed thinking skills more advanced than any human. While some have claimed it might be possible “in a few thousand days”, others are more sceptical about its development. Concerns have been raised that ASI presents an existential threat to humanity and its creation should be prevented or more strictly regulated.

  • In Focus

    UK development policy: Soft power and global influence

    Recent UK governments have emphasised collaborative partnership approaches to development assistance. However, concerns have been raised that the current level of development aid spending, below the statutory target, is impacting the UK’s potential for international influence. While the UK ranks highly in most ‘soft power’ lists, the USA tends to rank higher and other states are showing rising influence. The government has launched a Soft Power Council to identify and drive opportunities.

  • In Focus

    UK-EU relations: Proposals for customs union and connections with the EU single market

    The government is negotiating an EU ‘reset’ involving an animal and plant health agreement, the UK joining the EU’s electricity market and linking up emissions trading systems. The Liberal Democrats are calling for a bespoke UK-EU customs union, but the Conservatives and Reform UK argue against measures they believe would undermine UK sovereignty. This briefing examines proposals for a customs union and the implications of closer connections with the EU single market.

  • In Focus

    Holocaust Memorial Day 2026

    The UK will mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2026. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, a charity established and supported by the UK government, will organise and facilitate events and activities nationwide to commemorate the 6 million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, the victims of other acts of Nazi persecution, and where persecution led in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

  • In Focus

    Hospitality and retail sectors: Impact of government policy

    In recent years, both the hospitality and retail sectors have experienced a number of challenges, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The government has announced various policies which have affected these sectors, most recently in the 2025 budget. This briefing provides an overview of both the retail and hospitality sectors, recent government policy that has impacted them and industry reaction to the government’s measures.

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