Research Briefing

The UK must send an assessment of its economic position to the European Union. Parliament is required to approve the documents which form the basis of this assessment.

Royal commissions have fallen out of use over recent decades, but they could be set to make a return. The Conservative manifesto of 2019 promised to set up a royal commission on the criminal justice system. This briefing looks at the background to royal commissions.

Policies to tackle the impact of Covid-19 on those living in poverty is explored in this briefing.

Charities could lose revenue as a result of Covid-19 yet their services are in increased demand because of the crisis.

This government bill would provide parliamentary authorisation for Windrush compensation scheme payments. While the bill has received cross-party support, opposition parties have remained critical of the compensation scheme.

The social and domiciliary care sector is under huge strain as it tries to meet the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. The Government has introduced several measures, principally through the Coronavirus Act 2020, which it says are aimed to help the sector cope at such unprecedented times. However, concern has been expressed that the changes may have unintended negative consequences for some of the most vulnerable in society.

The Government has proposed setting up a constitution, democracy and rights commission to consider broad aspects of the UK’s constitution. This would look at issues including the relationship between the government, parliament, and the courts; the functioning of the royal prerogative; the role of the House of Lords; and access to justice.

What changes are taking place regarding the administration of business rates and their revaluations? This briefing explores the latest Government policy on the subject.

The UK Government has recognised that it is “imperative” that support is given to people on low incomes to access justice. However successive governments, parliamentary committees and stakeholders have identified barriers to vulnerable people accessing the necessary advice and legal services.

The bill proposes new laws that would provide the Government, and various public bodies, with powers to manage the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK.

This legislation forms part of the Government’s policy to improve the country’s digital infrastructure. It seeks to make it easier for network operators to respond to requests to install broadband infrastructure in certain buildings, such as flats, if they are unable to contact the relevant rights holder.

This briefing examines recent Government policy to tackle loneliness in care homes in the UK.