Research Briefing
The Government has decided to cancel three pilot schemes in favour of developing broadband infrastructure and promoting local TV stations. This comes at a time when local newspapers face competition from the internet and local authority newspapers and have difficulty in maintaining levels of funding from advertising.
Research Briefing
The Identity Cards Bill, Bill 1 of 2010-11, had its second reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday 9 June. During the debate, there was some argument as to whether any refund should be given to the 15,000 individuals who have already paid £30 for a national identity card.
Research Briefing
The Bill’s central purpose is to abolish identity cards and the National Identity Register, but there are no provisions for refunding existing card-holders. The Bill retains provisions included in the Identity Cards Act 2006 that proscribe the possession or making of false identity documents other than ID cards – such as passports and driving licences. Immigration ID cards for foreign nationals are untouched by the measures.
Research Briefing
This brief note provides some background to amendments that have been tabled in relation to the Digital Economy Bill, Bill 89 2009-10.
Research Briefing
The Bill implements aspects of Government policy on digital media set out in the ‘Digital Britain’ White Paper published in June 2009. It requires Ofcom to report on communications infrastructure and media content and gives it additional powers in relation to electromagnetic spectrum access. It imposes obligations on internet service providers to reduce online copyright infringement and allows the Secretary of State to intervene in internet domain name registration. The Bill requires Channel Four to provide public service content on a range of media and allows variation of the public service provision in Channel 3 and 5 licences. It also modifies the licensing regime to facilitate switchover to digital radio, extends the range of video games that are subject to age-related classification and includes non-print formats in the public lending right payment scheme.
Research Briefing
This Bill would repeal and immediately revive, without amendment, the Video Recordings Act 1984. Its purpose is to rectify a procedural error made during the passage of the Act, thereby to make the latter enforceable in UK courts. It would also allow the Act to be subsequently amended by the Digital Economy Bill 2009-10.
Research Briefing
This note provides background on the status of the Government's identity cards programme together with information on the Home Office's plans for its further development. It ends with the Home Secretary's announcement of 30 June 2009.
Research Briefing
Television Licence checks. By Grahame Danby. SN/HA/1148.
Research Briefing
The Coroners and Justice Bill deals with a wide range of matters including: coroners; death certification; murder, infanticide and suicide; prohibited images of children; hatred against persons on grounds of sexual orientation; criminal evidence, investigations and procedure; sentencing; legal aid; criminal memoirs and data protection.
Research Briefing
There has been much publicity over the information sharing provisions, notably clause 152, in the Coroners and Justice Bill 2008-09, currently in Commons Committee Stage. This note outlines the clause together with relevant policy and debate.
Research Briefing
This paper is one of two which examine the main proposals of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill 2008-09. It deals with the provisions relating to the dissolution of the Learning and Skills Council, the transfer to local authorities of responsibility for funding 16 to 18 education and training; the education of offenders; the creation of the Young Person’s Learning Agency and the Skills Funding Agency; and the legal identity of sixth-form colleges. The paper also covers the new regulatory body for qualifications (Ofqual); and a new agency to carry out the non-regulatory functions currently performed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The Bill seeks to strengthen the accountability of children’s services; amend intervention powers in respect of schools which are causing concern; provide for a new parental complaints service; change the school inspection arrangements; create a new negotiating body for school support staff pay and conditions; and address issues related to pupil and student behaviour. See also Research Paper 09/14.
Research Briefing
This paper is one of two which examine the main proposals of the Coroners and Justice Bill 2008-09. It deals with the provisions relating to criminal justice and data protection set out in Parts 2-8 of the Bill. See also HC Research Paper 09/07.
Research Briefing
This note provides background information on the proposed draft Communications Data Bill which has yet to be published. It mentions reports that consideration is being given to a centralised database and some of the concerns these have given rise to. A government consultation on implementing, via secondary legislation, an EC Directive on data retention closed on 31 October 2008.
Total results (page 3 of 6)