The Know Daily - Monday 9 February 2026

_{Read in 4m 12s ∙ Listening to RAYE ∙}

A record number of rare brown hairstreak butterfly eggs have been found in Carmarthenshire after landowners simply let their hedgerows grow a bit wilder. By cutting back less often, key habitats were protected and volunteers are now seeing the strongest signs of a comeback in years. Our hearts are fluttering just thinking about it! 🦋

🪑 House of Lords reforms

Labour MP Simon Opher and his Conservative counterpart Kit Malthouse are set to become co-chairs of a new all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on House of Lords reform.

A quick history lesson.
The House of Lords has gradually developed over hundreds of years from the King’s Council, which was basically a group of nobles and church leaders who advised the king or queen. Over time, it became Parliament’s second chamber, sitting alongside the elected House of Commons. While the Commons came to represent voters, the Lords evolved into a revising chamber, focused on scrutinising legislation rather than initiating it. 

Today, its members are mostly life peers appointed for their experience in fields like law, medicine, education and public service. The idea is that the Lords can take a longer-term view, offer expertise and suggest improvements to drafted laws, while ultimately deferring to the elected Commons.

Have there been any reforms before?
Yes, though they’ve tended to be little changes, rather than full on transformations. The House of Lords Act 1999 removed the automatic right of most hereditary peers (members of British aristocracy who have inherited a title through birth) to sit in the chamber, cutting their numbers dramatically. Another key moment came in 2014, when the House of Lords Reform Act allowed peers to retire or resign permanently for the first time and introduced a mechanism to remove members who failed to attend. This helped address concerns about an ever-growing chamber, although the overall size of the Lords has continued to rise.

So why now?
Tensions between the two chambers have resurfaced over recent high-profile legislation, particularly the assisted dying bill. Some MPs argue that the Lords is increasingly willing to push back against decisions made by the elected House, raising questions about democratic accountability. The dispute has given fresh momentum to cross-party efforts to revisit what the Lords is for, and how much power it should really have.

What’s next?
The new APPG won’t introduce legislation itself, but it can shape the debate by gathering evidence and proposing reforms. Labour has already indicated support for removing the remaining hereditary peers as an initial step. Broader questions – such as whether the House of Lords should be elected, capped in size or subject to tighter appointment rules – are still up for debate. But for now, the creation of the group signals that Lords reform is moving back up the political agenda.

We put so much heart into making The Know a space that brightens your day and keeps you in the loop. If our little daily check-in means something to you, we’d be so grateful for any support you can spare 🫶 It will help us to keep showing up for you in 2026.

💰 Money Monday: Referral schemes can be an easy way to boost your income by earning rewards when you recommend services you already use.

• The bigger story: More companies – from banks and energy suppliers to gyms and streaming platforms – now offer referral bonuses that pay both you and the person you invite, often through cash, bill credit or free perks. Think Octopus energy’s £50 credit, Lloyds Bank’s £50 refer‑a‑friend bonus, or Cineworld’s free month of Unlimited membership. While you usually need your referral to meet simple conditions like switching or making a first transaction, stacking these offers across multiple services can add up to a meaningful extra income over the year.

🤳 TikTok has been told to change its “addictive” design features after the European Commission found the app to be in breach of Europe's Digital Services Act.

🐝 UK employers are increasingly housing these buzzing bugs outside their offices in an effort to boost workplace wellbeing. 

🇬🇱 Canada and France have opened diplomatic consulates in Greenland, showing solidarity following US President Donald Trump's comments about taking control of the territory. 

👩‍⚕️ A period blood test for HPV could be a “robust alternative or replacement” for a smear test, scientists have said. 

📚 68% of young people want an English curriculum that better reflects modern Britain, research has found. You can read our deep dive on getting Britain reading here. 

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: The European countries with the fewest tourists, Asda’s 96p engagement ring and saving a British landmark.

Help your friends feel better about the news. Get them to sign up using your personalised code 👉 https://theknowmedia.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

⭐ Get clicking - this tells our partners that readers are interested in The Know. Let’s get started with this one!

⭐ Add us to your contacts or primary inbox - this makes sure we reach your inbox (and everyone else’s) each morning.

The Know is on a mission to help everyone start their day feeling informed and hopeful. We only recommend things we genuinely love but sometimes we make money from the links and content we share. This directly supports keeping our journalism free for all.

Trivia answer: A) Male Bumble users in Mexico and Australia are no longer able to initiate conversation as the app returns to its feminist roots.

How did you find today’s email?
😍 Loved it! | 😕 Could be better…

Need fewer emails? Click here to hear from us once a week.