• In Focus

    UK space industry

    In recent years, the Government has introduced several measures concerning the UK space industry. This included passing legislation to create a regulatory framework for commercial space activities and funding to build the country’s first spaceport. This In Focus examines the recent size and health of the UK space industry, including its contribution to the wider UK economy. It also covers several measures taken by the Government to date, such as the creation of the National Space Council.

  • In Focus

    NHS staffing after Covid-19

    The coronavirus pandemic has led to an increased focus on the NHS and whether it has enough staff to meet the country’s healthcare needs. NHS staffing after the pandemic is the subject of a question for short debate to be asked in grand committee in the House of Lords on 4 March 2021.

  • In Focus

    Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2021

    Around 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. Disorders often have complex causes, and they can last for many years. To mark Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2021, this article provides an overview of the three most common eating disorders and identifies who is most at risk and what treatments are available.

  • In Focus

    Women in elected office in the UK

    Following the election in 2019, the highest number of female MPs were elected to Parliament. This In Focus looks at the current levels of women in politics in the UK, including in the devolved administrations and local government. It then outlines some potential barriers to increased female participation and details some developments that have been made in this area in the last couple of years.

  • In Focus

    Raising election spending limits in line with inflation

    The Government recently announced plans to uprate the spending limits which apply to both candidates and national parties during elections, to reflect inflation. Initially the changes will apply to the local council elections in England, due to take place in May 2021. The Government has also indicated that it would consult on changes to other polls.

  • In Focus

    Covid-19: Planning for the May 2021 elections to go ahead safely

    A number of elections are due to be held across Great Britain on 6 May 2021. This includes local council elections, mayoral elections and elections to the Scottish and Welsh parliaments. In light of concerns about whether these elections can go ahead due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government recently published guidance on how they can be run safely and securely.

  • In Focus

    Fashion retail: Time for a new look?

    As part of measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus, many retail outlets were closed for long periods during 2020. In conjunction with changes in consumer behaviour resulting from reduced socialising and travel, this had a big impact on the global fashion industry. There are concerns about job losses in clothing stores and in the supply chain as a result of these changes. But ahead of London fashion week this month, people are also asking if this is an opportunity for the fashion industry to make permanent changes to how it operates, for the good of both people and the planet.

  • In Focus

    Covid-19 and the US election: The presidential inauguration

    President Joe Biden began his term as US president on 20 January 2021. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and heightened security concerns, his inauguration looked different to those before. This article outlines some key information about presidential inaugurations in the US and looks at how recent events impacted this year’s ceremony.

  • In Focus

    Mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis: Uprating compensation payment rates

    Mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis are diseases primarily affecting industrial and construction workers. Sufferers are eligible for government compensation schemes if they cannot claim civil damages against their employers. Two sets of regulations would increase the amounts payable by 0.5 percent from 1 April 2021, in line with inflation and the uprating being applied to other disability benefits.

  • In Focus

    Armed Forces Act (Continuation) Order 2021

    Each year, both Houses of Parliament are required to approve legislation which allows the armed forces to continue to operate throughout the world. This statutory instrument extends the current legislation until the end of 2021. It is expected that a new Armed Forces Act will come into force before the end of the year.

  • In Focus

    Fast tracked planning permission to use land as temporary inland border facilities

    The Town and Country Planning (Border Facilities and Infrastructure) (EU Exit) (England) Special Development Order 2020 (SI 2020/928) has sped up the planning process for land to be used as inland border facilities in specified areas of England. The Government stated this is necessary due to the increased border control measures needed now the UK has left the EU. On 11 February 2021, the House of Lords will debate a motion ‘regretting’ the legislation.

  • In Focus

    Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance rates for 2021/22

    The draft Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Uprating Regulations 2021 would set the annual rates of child tax credit and working tax credits from 6 April 2021, and the weekly rates of child benefit and guardian’s allowance from 12 April 2021. The draft regulations must be approved by Parliament before becoming law. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the regulations on 8 February 2021.