Research Briefing
King’s Speech 2024: Science, technology and innovation
Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering science, technology and innovation for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
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Research Briefing
British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Bill: HL Bill 71 of 2023–24
This private member’s bill would add a new registration route to the British Nationality Act 1981 so that Irish citizens who have been lawfully resident in the UK for five years could apply to be registered as British citizens.
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Research Briefing
High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill: HL Bill 69 of 2023–24
The High Streets (Designation, Review and Improvement Plan) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Whitby (Conservative). It would require local authorities in England to designate at least one street or network of streets in their area as a high street. Authorities would then need to prepare and publish an improvement plan for each designated high street area. The bill has passed the House of Commons and has government support.
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Research Briefing
Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Bill: HL Bill 70 of 2023–24
This private member’s bill would expand eligibility for leave to fathers or partners who experience the death of a child’s mother, adoptive or surrogate parent.
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Research Briefing
Renters (Reform) Bill: HL Bill 74 of 2023–24
The Renters (Reform) Bill is a government bill which would implement a significant package of reforms to the private rental sector in England. Ministers argue that it will ensure private renters have access to a secure and decent home and give confidence to landlords to continue to invest. However, concern has been raised over delays to key elements of the reforms, particularly the abolition of so-called ‘no fault’ or section 21 evictions.
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Research Briefing
Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill: HL Bill 73 of 2023–24
The Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 May 2024. The bill seeks to fulfil the commitment made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on 10 January 2023 to quash the convictions of those convicted as a result of the Horizon scandal. It would extend and apply to England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its provisions would come into force at royal assent. During committee stage the bill was extended to Northern Ireland. There have also been calls for it to be extended to Scotland. The bill has received cross-party support but is controversial as the quashing of convictions by Parliament is unprecedented. In addition, concerns about the scope of the bill have been raised. The bill would not include individuals whose convictions were previously upheld by the Court of Appeal.
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Research Briefing
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill: HL Bill 68 of 2023–24
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill is a private member’s bill that originated in the House of Commons. It would allow the government to treat the two organisations in a similar way to international organisations of which the UK is a member. It has government and cross-party support. The bill is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 17 May 2024.
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Research Briefing
Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 17 of 2023–24
The Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Young of Hornsey (Crossbench). It would place due diligence obligations concerning human rights and the environment on businesses and public sector bodies. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 10 May 2024.
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Research Briefing
Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill: HL Bill 64 of 2023–24
The Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative). It would provide for the extension of the maximum lease available to the Zoological Society of London for land in Regent’s Park used by London Zoo. The House of Commons has passed the bill and it has cross-party support. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 10 May 2024.
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Research Briefing
Pet Abduction Bill: HL Bill 62 of 2023–24
The Pet Abduction Bill is a House of Commons private member’s bill. It would create two new offences of dog and cat abduction, and give ministers powers to create similar offences for other pet species. It has government and cross-party support.
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Research Briefing
Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill: HL Bill 63 of 2023–24
The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill is a House of Commons private member’s bill allowing changes to be made to the Building Societies Act 1986 intended to support building societies and align some of their processes with banks. The bill has government and cross-party support.
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Research Briefing
Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 56 of 2023–24
This proposed law would clarify that litigation funding agreements (LFAs) do not constitute damages-based agreements (DBAs). The effect of this would be to give statutory confirmation that LFAs do not need to comply with the statutory and regulatory regime for DBAs to be enforceable. This would address recent concerns that many LFAs were unenforceable as a result of the UK Supreme Court’s ruling in R (PACCAR Inc) v Competition Appeal Tribunal [2023] UKSC 28.
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Research Briefing
Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 11 of 2023–24
The Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill proposed by Lord Holmes of Richmond (Conservative), which would introduce a new body, the AI Authority, which would have various functions designed to help address AI regulation in the UK. It would also put regulatory principles for artificial intelligence into law.
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Research Briefing
Genocide (Prevention and Response) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2023–24
The Genocide (Prevention and Response) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill, sponsored by Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Labour), which would make provision about how the government monitors and reports on activities to prevent and respond to genocide and other atrocity crimes.
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Research Briefing
Foetal Sentience Committee Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15 of 2023–24
The Foetal Sentience Committee Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Moylan (Conservative). The bill would require the secretary of state to establish a Foetal Sentience Committee.
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