Research Briefing
Introduction to devolution in the UK
An introduction to the devolution settlements in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, London and parts of England.
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Research Briefing
“A process, not an event”: Devolution in Wales, 1998-2020
A narrative of devolution in Wales, 1998-2018
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Research Briefing
“The settled will”? Devolution in Scotland, 1998-2020
"The settled will"? Devolution in Scotland, 1998-2020
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Research Briefing
The 2017-19 Government at Westminster: Governing as a minority
This Commons Library Briefing Paper considers the 2017-19 minority Government and the agreement between the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party.
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Debate Pack
Welsh Affairs – annual debate on 27 February 2020
A general debate on Welsh Affairs is held each year in the Commons Chamber on, or around, St David's Day. Since 2010, the Backbench Committee has allocated time for the annual debate from its 35 allotted days.
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Research Briefing
Constitutional implications of the Withdrawal Agreement legislation
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 at 11pm GMT with a ratified Withdrawal Agreement. The changes brought about by Brexit have been implemented predominantly through the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020. This briefing paper explains the constitutional and legal implications of those two Acts, taken together, and what it means for the next part of the Brexit process.
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Research Briefing
Devolution in Northern Ireland, 1998-2020
Devolution in Northern Ireland, 1998-2020
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Insight
Northern Ireland Assembly: “New Decade, New Approach”
The Northern Ireland Office has published the text of a deal to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland. What are its proposals to reform the Assembly and Executive?
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Insight
How will Brexit affect the Union?
Many challenges and tensions concerning the devolved institutions of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland remain unresolved
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Research Briefing
Northern Ireland Budget Bill
A Bill Briefing on the Northern Ireland Budget Bill 2019-20
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Insight
Withdrawal Agreement Bill: Implications for devolved institutions
The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill (WAB) has implications for the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly. This Insight explains the impacts of the WAB on devolution.
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Research Briefing
The October 2019 EU UK Withdrawal Agreement
Boris Johnson's Government have negotiated a new 'deal' with the European Union. It is formed of a Political Declaration and a Withdrawal Agreement. This paper focuses on the Withdrawal Agreement and how it compares to the one negotiated by Theresa May's Government in November 2018. The main differences are in the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland or the 'backstop' as it is commonly known. It contains very different arrangements, the UK will no longer be in a single customs territory or union with the EU. The UK will no longer be legally bound to continue with level playing field commitments at the end of the transition period. Northern Ireland will still be in the UK's customs territory and VAT area, however, the region will align with the EU's rules in these areas. Northern Ireland will remain mostly aligned to the EU's regulations for goods. Four years after the end of the transition period Northern Ireland's democratic institutions will vote on whether they wish to continue the arrangements in the Protocol.
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Insight
Abortion and same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland: Do Westminster votes undermine devolution?
Yesterday (9 July) the House of Commons voted by large majorities to change the law regarding abortion and same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.
Total results (page 3 of 5)