In Focus
The lord speaker chairs the business of the House of Lords, along with deputies, and has other procedural, ceremonial and ambassadorial roles. As a result of the resignation of the current lord speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith, an election for a new lord speaker will be held in January 2026.
In Focus
Sudan’s current civil war continues to have a devastating impact on civilians, with UN agencies describing the conflict as both the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and the world’s largest displacement crisis. Amid reports of ongoing atrocities in and around El Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region and continuing hostilities elsewhere, the UK has been involved in diplomatic efforts calling for an end to the conflict and has increased funding for emergency humanitarian assistance.
In Focus
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
The Canal and River Trust manages most canal towpaths in England and Wales. Its responsibilities include maintaining canal infrastructure and managing litter. However, due to high waste-management costs and concerns over government funding from 2027, the trust has removed bins at several of its canal towpath locations. This has prompted local concerns about increased fly-tipping, increased litter and pollution.
In Focus
On 30 October 2025, King Charles III signed a royal warrant directing the Duke of York to be removed from the roll of the peerage with immediate effect. As a result, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is no longer legally recognised as a peer in official documents. This briefing looks at what peerages are, and how they can be removed.
In Focus
This briefing examines existing plastic recycling waste targets and discusses whether those targets are being met. It also details successive governments’ policies on plastic recycling. It has been prepared ahead of Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville’s (Liberal Democrat) question for short debate on 20 November 2025 on the progress the government has made in achieving plastic recycling targets.
In Focus
The role of private equity in the UK economy has grown significantly in recent years. Observers debate whether this has been a positive development or has had a negative impact on businesses and key sectors of the economy. This article provides an overview of private equity and its role in the UK economy.
In Focus
Medical nuclear radioisotopes are used in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of health conditions. The UK has no domestic supply of the majority of radioisotopes needed by the health service, and many of the facilities responsible for global supply are several decades old. The UK government has said it is in regular contact with stakeholders and working to better understand the shape of future supply.
In Focus
Ahead of the 26 November 2025 autumn budget, there is growing speculation about potential tax increases. This briefing considers the Labour government’s approach to taxation and the economy so far, including its manifesto commitments and tax decisions set out in the 2024 budget. The briefing also includes statistics and commentary relating to UK jobs, growth and prosperity figures. It has been prepared for a House of Lords debate on 13 November 2025.
In Focus
The UK has been described as “one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth”. Legally binding biodiversity targets apply under the Environment Act 2021. Work is underway to gather data to measure progress towards them. Government policies to improve biodiversity include local nature recovery strategies, environmental land management schemes, biodiversity net gain and introducing a nature restoration levy through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. However, nature groups have argued the levy may work to reduce environmental protection.
In Focus
The government has committed to introducing a ‘Hillsborough Law’, placing a legal duty of candour on public servants and providing legal aid for victims of state related deaths and disasters. In September 2025 the government introduced the Public Office (Accountability) Bill in the House of Commons. This follows calls for legislation to avoid repeating the long process that families and others affected went through to get information about the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
In Focus
The Law Commission has published a review of the law governing financial remedies on divorce and dissolution in England and Wales. They concluded that the current law lacks certainty and accessibility and that there was need for reform. The report outlined potential models of reform and key policy choices that the government would need to make under each model.
In Focus
2025 has seen a significant evolution of the war in Ukraine as new and emerging technologies continue to alter the shape of the battlefield. At the same time, diplomatic efforts to find a solution have continued as the US under President Donald Trump has prioritised a negotiated settlement. The UK and other European nations have continued to declare their support for Ukraine and have sought to aid the country through stepping up supplies of military aid and industrial support.
In Focus
The government has brought forward the target of decarbonising the electricity system by five years to 2030 as part of plans to achieve net zero. The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee considered the government’s plans to achieve this target as part of its recent inquiry on the energy grid and grid connections. The committee found that while the target is achievable, it is “a significant challenge”. The committee made a number of recommendations in light of this finding and others which are outlined in this briefing alongside the government’s responses.
In Focus
The House of Lords Public Services Committee has explored the challenges faced by young disabled people as they move from the education system into work. The committee found that there were significant challenges for young disabled people in securing long-term employment. It called for the government to focus on early intervention and to provide employers with the right support and tools to create an inclusive workplace.
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