Prorogation is the mechanism by which parliamentary sessions are ended. This House of Lords Library briefing sets out the start and end dates of each parliamentary session since 1900, together with the number of calendar days between the end of the previous session and the start of the new one.

Prorogation is the mechanism by which parliamentary sessions are ended. This House of Lords Library briefing sets out the start and end dates of each parliamentary session since 1900, together with the number of calendar days between the end of the previous session and the start of the new one.

On 6 February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Events and initiatives will take place throughout the year to celebrate this milestone, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend in early June.

On 6 February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Events and initiatives will take place throughout the year to celebrate this milestone, culminating in a...

There is no fixed number of seats in the House of Lords, and its make up can change week by week. This Library briefing provides a snapshot of its composition on 12 June 2020.

There is no fixed number of seats in the House of Lords, and its make up can change week by week. This Library briefing provides a snapshot of its composition on 12 June 2020.

This briefing on the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica explores the history of the UK’s involvement in Antarctica since 1820.

This briefing on the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica explores the history of the UK’s involvement in Antarctica since 1820.

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.

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.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information on recent government announcements relating to the restoration of rail lines closed in the latter half of the twentieth century.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information on recent government announcements relating to the restoration of rail lines closed in the latter half of the twentieth century.

The coronavirus was declared a public health emergency on 30 January 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), only the sixth such emergency since 2009. The declaration followed reports on 31 December 2019 of an unknown virus causing a number of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in eastern China. The virus was later identified as a new strain of coronavirus (Cov). This House of Lords Library briefing provides information about: the virus, including its spread and impact; what action the WHO and UK Government have taken; and the problem of disinformation in relation to the disease.

The coronavirus was declared a public health emergency on 30 January 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), only the sixth such emergency since 2009. The declaration followed reports on 31 December 2019 of an unknown virus causing a number of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in eastern China....

This House of Lords Library Briefing considers the evolution of online political advertising and details the legislative reforms that are being considered by the Government.

This House of Lords Library Briefing considers the evolution of online political advertising and details the legislative reforms that are being considered by the Government.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on developments in respect of the NHS Long Term Plan since publication in January 2019, including proposals for legislation to facilitate implementation of the plan.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on developments in respect of the NHS Long Term Plan since publication in January 2019, including proposals for legislation to facilitate implementation of the plan.

This House of Lords Library Briefing focuses on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab. It looks at social media’s role in the spread of misinformation, what the UK Government and social media companies have pledged to do about it, and what other countries are doing to solve declining rates of MMR vaccination.

This House of Lords Library Briefing focuses on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab. It looks at social media’s role in the spread of misinformation, what the UK Government and social media companies have pledged to do about it, and what other countries are doing to solve declining rates...

This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on depression in young people, including characteristics, treatment options and changes in mental health policy in recent years.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on depression in young people, including characteristics, treatment options and changes in mental health policy in recent years.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides key statistics on the rural economy and a summary of recent developments.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides key statistics on the rural economy and a summary of recent developments.

This House of Lords Library Briefing explores the global challenge of soil erosion and its consequences.

This House of Lords Library Briefing explores the global challenge of soil erosion and its consequences.

The House of Lords Library Briefing explores the nature of Serious and Organised Crime in the UK. It includes statistics on the scale of the problem as well as information on the response by the Government and the National Crime Agency.

The House of Lords Library Briefing explores the nature of Serious and Organised Crime in the UK. It includes statistics on the scale of the problem as well as information on the response by the Government and the National Crime Agency.

This House of Lords Library Briefing sets out how the police service in the UK is governed, including details of recent reforms. It also focuses on how the police are held accountable for their actions through systems of oversight and complaints.

This House of Lords Library Briefing sets out how the police service in the UK is governed, including details of recent reforms. It also focuses on how the police are held accountable for their actions through systems of oversight and complaints.

This House of Lords Library Briefing describes recent measures introduced by the footballing authorities, individual clubs and social media companies to tackle racism in football, and details existing legislation in this area.

This House of Lords Library Briefing describes recent measures introduced by the footballing authorities, individual clubs and social media companies to tackle racism in football, and details existing legislation in this area.

This House of Lords Library Briefing provides a chronology of recent discussions on the disclosure of evidence in criminal proceedings. It includes an overview of disclosure procedures, notable high profile cases, and recent developments in disclosure practices across the criminal justice system.

This House of Lords Library Briefing provides a chronology of recent discussions on the disclosure of evidence in criminal proceedings. It includes an overview of disclosure procedures, notable high profile cases, and recent developments in disclosure practices across the criminal justice system.

This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information on the Bank of England. It covers the Bank’s history, its role today and current policy debates around its activities.

This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information on the Bank of England. It covers the Bank’s history, its role today and current policy debates around its activities.

With reference to state openings in 2019, 2017, March 1974 and 1939, this briefing discusses the differences between a traditional state opening and one with reduced ceremonial elements.

With reference to state openings in 2019, 2017, March 1974 and 1939, this briefing discusses the differences between a traditional state opening and one with reduced ceremonial elements.

This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared to mark the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919. It provides a summary of the provisions of the Act and an overview of some of the debates had at the time about introducing and implementing gender equality legislation.

This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared to mark the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919. It provides a summary of the provisions of the Act and an overview of some of the debates had at the time about introducing and implementing gender equality legislation.