Key Issues 2017

What are the Key Issues for the 2017 Parliament?

Key Issues 2017 is a series of short briefings on the topics that will take centre stage in UK and international politics in the new Parliament. Written by impartial Commons Library specialists, these articles are designed to help the reader get up to speed quickly on issues such as; Brexit, the housing crisis, the future of devolution and much more.

Articles are being published throughout June on secondreading.uk. Read them via the following links below, or download the whole guide (link below).

Please note this page will be updated with new articles as they are published.  

The economy and public finances

• Brexit and the economy
• The public finances
• Brexit and trade
• Paying for the state pension
• Taxes after the tax lock
• Brexit and the replacement for EU funding

Work and industry

• Employment rights in the gig economy
• Fishing, farming and UK consumers after Brexit
• Future of the City of London
• Automation and the workforce
• Competition in the energy market

Living in the UK

• The NHS at 70
• Paying for adult social care
• The housing crisis
• Obesity: a public health crisis?
• Living standards and inequality
• Testing times for Universal Credit
• School funding in England

Justice and immigration

• The challenges of countering extremism
• Brexit and borders: migration and asylum
• Safety in prisons: is enough being done?

 Media and technology

• Cyber-crime and security
• Internet regulation: safety or censorship?

 Environment

• Clean air in our cities
• Brexit and the environment

 Foreign affairs and defence

• Brexit: an overview
• Foreign affairs: the state of the world
• Defence and the Armed Forces

Governing the UK

• The Great Repeal Bill
• Metro-mayors and devolution deals
• Political (dis)engagement
• Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster
• Parliamentary and electoral reform