In Focus
The UK government has committed to raise spending on defence as a share of gross domestic product over the next decade. This briefing looks at the potential economic effects of higher defence spending. Higher defence spending could boost economic activity in the short and long run. However, the size of any gains will depend on several factors, including the broader economic context and how additional defence spending is financed.
In Focus
Smartphone use among children has raised concerns about its potential effects on their focus and wellbeing. In response, some countries have implemented bans on smartphones in schools, prompting discussion on introducing the policy in the UK. This briefing examines these issues alongside recent policy and children’s smartphone usage in the UK.
In Focus
Every day, police officers across the country use a variety of technologies in the course of their duties. Some of these technologies have been used for almost a century, while others have been introduced in recent years. This briefing explores policing’s historic use of technology, some of the recent technological developments and the potential opportunities and risks they present.
In Focus
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. Established in the aftermath of the second world war, the UN was created with a mission of maintaining peace and security, and promoting international cooperation, with the hope it could help prevent another devastating global conflict. Since then, the UN has grown into a large transnational organisation with a broader remit, including promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights. This briefing examines the composition of the modern UN and recent attempts at reform.
In Focus
Reform of the railways is a key government policy; it was part of the Labour Party’s 2024 election manifesto and was set out in further detail in ‘Getting Britain moving: Labour’s plan to fix Britain’s railways’, published in April 2024. This briefing looks at the government’s plans for changes to the ownership and organisation of the railways.
In Focus
At the turn of the twentieth century, debate about the UK’s fiscal policy centred on the issue of tariffs. In July 1904, the House of Lords debated the government’s fiscal policy, and whether the then Conservative government supported the introduction of tariffs as some leading political proponents thought. Moving away from ‘free’ trade to what some considered ‘fair’ trade proved to be both a controversial and divisive policy idea. This briefing looks back to the Lords debate and identifies the key contributions made.
In Focus
Members of the House of Lords who are not ministers can introduce private members’ bills. With limited time available, they rarely become law without government, and usually cross-party, support. This briefing provides a profile of private members’ bills in the Lords including examples of the types of private members’ bills introduced and commentary on the reasons why someone might table a private member’s bill.
In Focus
International humanitarian law prohibits the use of starvation as a method of warfare. This briefing focuses on relevant legal frameworks and the UK government’s overarching policy on promoting compliance and accountability.
In Focus
China recently hosted a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the northern port city of Tianjin. Established in 2001 with six member states, the intergovernmental organisation now comprises 10 countries, including China, Russia and India, which collectively represent over 42% of the world’s population. Commentators argue it has evolved from a group focused on regional security into a forum aimed at projecting a non-western alternative worldview.
In Focus
Fracture liaison services proactively identify people at risk of fractures caused by osteoporosis. Patients can then be assessed and treated to prevent future fractures. The provision of fracture liaison services in England has been called a ‘postcode lottery’ by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, and evidence shows variation in quality and reach. The government has committed to 100% coverage by 2030.
In Focus
Currently, government funding is available through several schemes to help students attend specialist music and dance schools. The funding a student receives is linked to their household income. The government has continued to fund the two main schemes for the current academic year. However, it has not made any commitments on longer term funding. Industry stakeholders have raised concerns about future funding arrangements, including the impact a reduction could have on diversity in the creative industries.
In Focus
On 12 April 2025, Parliament was recalled to fast-track the passage of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. The government has used the act to direct the operations of British Steel Ltd, which was in danger of collapse. British Steel operates the UK’s remaining blast furnaces at its site in Scunthorpe. This briefing summarises the challenges the UK steel industry has faced in recent years, how the act’s powers have been used in the case of British Steel, and wider government policy on steel.
In Focus
The government published a draft new national policy statement for ports in June 2025. This seeks to update the planning policy for ports development, which was previously set out in a 2012 national policy statement. The proposed new policy statement has been welcomed by those in the ports sector. As part of its parliamentary scrutiny, it is due to be debated in the House of Lords on 14 October 2025.
In Focus
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes mostly mild respiratory symptoms. However, RSV can be serious for higher-risk groups such as infants. An RSV vaccination programme to protect newborns, via maternal vaccination, was introduced in England in September 2024. A study has shown the vaccine to be effective in preventing infant hospitalisations, however data has shown variability in vaccine uptake by NHS commissioning region and ethnic group.
In Focus
A speech by the sovereign at the start of a parliamentary session usually takes place every year. However, there have been six years since 1900 without a speech. Most can be ascribed to the preceding session being longer than average. The government has said the current session will continue until 2026, meaning there will be no King’s Speech in 2025.
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