In Focus
The UK has a duty to punish and help prevent atrocity crimes like genocide from occurring globally. Successive UK governments have used various mechanisms to help prevent mass atrocities. However, concerns have been raised in recent years about the prevalence of incidents of large-scale violence continuing to occur around the world. This has led some parliamentarians and external stakeholders to call on the government to do more to prevent atrocities.
In Focus
Legislation passed in 2015 created a statutory duty for the UK to spend 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on official development assistance (ODA), though it also permitted lower spending in certain circumstances. In February 2025 the Labour government announced ODA spend would fall to 0.3% of GNI by 2027. Humanitarian organisations have criticised the decision and called for ODA spend to revert to the 0.7% statutory target.
In Focus
Some experts argue that future autonomous AI systems may be able to evade human oversight and control. The likelihood and potential impacts of such “loss of control” incidents are debated as the trajectory of future AI advancement is uncertain. To address this risk, the UK has adopted non-statutory principles to guide responsible development and use but currently lacks AI-specific regulations or legislation.
In Focus
The government published a revised environmental improvement plan in December 2025, containing updated targets and government commitments for improving the environment. These plans and targets are required under the Environment Act 2021. The government hopes the new plan will improve clarity on the actions to be taken to improve the environment. However, some have argued it does not go far enough to recognise the urgency of the situation.
In Focus
To gain approval for use in the NHS, vaccines must undergo health technology assessments that are based primarily on clinical outcomes and costs to the healthcare sector. Some argue that this approach undervalues vaccines and that broader socioeconomic benefits, such as gains in productivity and educational attainment, should be considered in all assessments. Critics of this proposal point to a range of ethical, practical and methodological challenges.
In Focus
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has argued that policies governing nitrogen use and pollution in the UK need to be strengthened. It has called for better regulation, a ‘circular approach’ to nitrogen management (based on more efficient use and recycling) and a more coordinated strategy on nitrogen pollution. This briefing highlights some key points from the committee’s report and the government’s response to it.
In Focus
Mining can have major impacts on the environment with one study putting the current global environmental costs of mining annually at £0.3tn, representing 0.5% of the world’s annual GDP. Widespread mining took place in British colonies during colonial rule. Commentators such as Action for Southern Africa have argued that instances of historic pollution, and how mining industries deal with them, present “a warning for what could come as the energy transition accelerates”.
In Focus
The UK and Israel engaged in trade worth £6.2bn in the year to the end of Q2 2025, with the UK reporting a total trade surplus of £1bn over that period. Trade relations are governed by a trade agreement that took effect after the UK’s Brexit transition period. The UK and Israel later launched negotiations on a new free trade agreement. However, the UK government suspended negotiations in May 2025.
In Focus
In recent years, concerns have been raised about the state of modern foreign language education in England. These concerns have mainly focused on a decrease in the number of students studying the subjects and a shortage of specialist teachers. Various commentators have described these issues as a ‘vicious circle’ arguing that they are linked. The government has set out various measures aimed at addressing these issues, including the use of financial incentives, but has said it would not introduce visa waivers.
In Focus
As the number of names on the speakers’ list for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill rose, hitting over 200, there were calls for more than the usual one day of second reading debate. The House held two days of second reading on 12 and 19 September 2025. This briefing considers the precedent for this.
In Focus
The Football Association states that non-league and grassroots football provides many benefits to communities and individuals, including health and wellbeing benefits. This briefing looks at how grassroots and non-league football is structured and supported across England, and what challenges it faces.
In Focus
Over 81,000 children are currently looked after by local authorities in England, with approximately 9,500 in secure homes and children’s homes. Increasing demand, a high number of placements outside a local authority’s boundaries and the growing cost of providing care have led to calls for reform of the sector. This briefing examines the demographics of looked after children and what can be done to improve the current system.
In Focus
The Senate of Canada shares many similarities with the House of Lords, notably regarding its appointed membership. Historically, Canadian prime ministers made Senate appointments to the benefit of their party, but in 2015 the Liberal government established a new Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments to assist with identifying suitable candidates. The board’s work helped inform 100 appointments in the 105-seat chamber, but it is unclear whether the process will continue. This briefing summarises developments.
In Focus
Artificial intelligence (AI) arguably has the potential to deliver considerable cost and time savings in healthcare by automating some administrative and clinical tasks. The government plans to expand the use of AI in the NHS but public sentiment is divided. This briefing explores the main concerns and outlines key questions for regulating this technology.
In Focus
In 2005, the then Labour government proposed the introduction of a national identity card scheme and register. Having passed the House of Commons, the government’s Identity Cards Bill reached the House of Lords, where it received a mixed response at its second reading. Speakers from across the House debated the principle and practicability of identity cards. Some members raised specific concerns, foreshadowing debates held later at committee and report stages. This briefing looks back at the bill’s second reading and summarises the key points made.
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