MPs will debate new housing design in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 5 September 2017 from 11.30am to 1pm . The debate will be opened by Neil Parish MP. This House of Commons Library debate pack outlines design policy and issues and provides some of the media and parliamentary coverage.
Glyphosate was re-approved for use in the EU in November 2017 and the legal act enabling this was adopted in December 2017. This approval was subject to delay as a range of scientific evidence was considered regarding potential health risks with fierce debate over a number of years.
This briefing concentrates on the interaction between bees and a group of insecticides - known as neonicotinoids - which have been in the spotlight after a number of studies yielded evidence (although much of that evidence is contested) of sub-lethal, harmful effects on bees. In July 2015, the UK Government granted an emergency authorisation for the use of restricted neonicotinoids on oil seed rape seeds in four English counties. Similar application for emergency authorisations for 2016 and 2017 were rejected.
The Grenfell Tower fire has raised questions about how agencies plan for and respond to civil contingencies. This briefing looks at emergency planning in the UK.
MPs will debate The Introduction of an opt-out system for organ donation in England, in Westminster Hall on Thursday 13 July at 3.00pm. The Member in charge of this debate is Dan Jarvis MP. This House of Commons Library debate pack provides some background information and parliamentary and media coverage of the issues.
The UK agriculture and horticulture sectors have long relied on migrant labour. This reliance has increased in recent years due to the seasonal nature of demand and falling unemployment in the UK.
This briefing therefore examines current concerns within the industry about a labour shortage and further concerns about the impact of Brexit might have on labour supply. One solution but forward by some has been the return of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers scheme (or something very like it), and the briefing provides a background on this.
The Seasonal Agricultural Workers scheme is the subject of a Westminster Hall debate on 6 July 2017. The debate is sponsored by Neil Parish, who was chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee in the last Parliament. The Committee produced a report Feeding the nation: labour constraints in April 2017
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.
The Kew Gardens (Leases) Bill 2016-17 - a Private Members' Bill introduced to Parliament by Ian Liddell-Grainger MP on 29 June 2016 [Bill 22] - has its Commons report stage and third reading on Friday 24 March 2017.
This pack has been produced ahead of the Opposition Day debate to be held in the Commons Chamber on Tuesday 17 January 2017 on the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the rural economy. The debate will be on the motion put forward by the Scottish National Party :
That this House is concerned at the possible impact upon the rural economy of the Government’s aim for the UK to leave the EU; and calls upon the Government to present to Parliament a clear statement of its aims for the rural economy in negotiations with the EU prior to triggering Article 50, and to give assurances on the future of agriculture, particularly with regard to funding, and fisheries after 2020.
This Commons Library briefing looks at some of the basic ‘unknowns’ relating to Brexit. The unknowns cover areas such as a role for the UK Parliament and the devolved legislatures in the Brexit process, relations with the EU institutions, the economic impact on the UK, and changes to citizens’ rights.
This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall at 4.30pm on Wednesday 19 October 2016 on the effect of the UK leaving the EU on agriculture and fishing in the South West. The debate will be led by Scott Mann.
This Commons Library briefing paper looks at the situation in a range of policy areas and considers what impact Brexit might have. This will depend, among other things, on the Brexit negotiations, whether the UK stays in the European Economic Area and how the Government fills any policy gaps left by withdrawal.
The Renewables Obligation has provided financial support for large scale renewable electricity. Some elements of the scheme have already closed and it will close in 2017 as part of Electricty Market Reform, to be replaced by Contracts for Difference.