House of Commons Library

In the 2020s, crossing the English Channel in a small boat has become a popular method of unauthorised immigration into the UK. Almost all of those who arrive by this routed go on to claim asylum. 41,000 people arrived by small boat in 2025, making up around 89% of all people detected arriving in the UK without authorisation. Around 76% of those arriving were adult men, 12% were adult women and 12% were children.

On 16 April 2025 the Supreme Court handed down judgment in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers. The case concerned how the terms “man”, “woman” and “sex” should be interpreted in the Equality Act 2010 (EA 2010) in light of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA). The Supreme Court has published a short press summary of the judgment.

The Representation of the People Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 12 February 2026. The bill is scheduled to have its second reading on 2 March 2026. The bill, explanatory notes and associated documents are available on the bill’s page on the Parliamentary website. Summary The Representation of the People Bill 2024–26 proposes extensive changes to electoral law across the UK.

Genocide is a crime under international law, according to the United Nations General Assembly. The 1948 Genocide Convention, which has 153 parties requires party states to punish those responsible for genocide. The convention also requires states to prevent genocide from occurring. While it does not set out how they must do this, judgments on cases before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have clarified some details of the obligation. What are a state’s obligations in international law?

The Royal Navy should move towards a “more powerful but cheaper and simpler fleet” with a hybrid mix of crewed, uncrewed and increasingly autonomous vessels and aircraft. This is one of the conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published by the government in June 2025. The review sets out the Royal Navy’s purpose: to defend the UK, to deter and defend in the Euro-Atlantic, and to shape the global security environment.

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter. The UK was one of the UN’s founding members, is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, and is a leading aid donor. The anniversary comes at a time of increased pressure on the multilateral system and on aid agencies themselves, as a result of planned reductions in the aid budgets of many donor states, including that of the UK. Several UN agencies have warned of in-year reductions.

In a statement on Friday 17 October, Prince Andrew said he would “no longer use” his title (the Duke of York) or other honours conferred upon him. This short briefing looks at the legal status of certain titles and honours and the precedents for removal or non-use. Award and use of titles Most titles and other honours are awarded under the royal prerogative, which means their legal basis is not an act of Parliament.

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Consumer prices are rising by nearly twice the Bank of England’s target rate, having gone up faster than expected in 2025. This marks a change from the declining rates of inflation seen during most of 2024. In this month’s economic update, we take a closer look at recent trends in UK inflation and explain how food prices and administered prices have pushed up inflation.

Letters patent are a legal document authorised by the monarch, usually on ministerial advice. Letters patent can make public appointments, confer honours, grant city status or signify Royal Assent to legislation. This Insight explains what letters patent are and what they are used for. What are letters patent? Letters patent are a type of legal document to which the Great Seal of the Realm is affixed.