Research Briefing
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill 2019-21
This briefing paper sets out the background to the UK Internal Market Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 9 September 2020.
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Research Briefing
The UK-China relationship
In recent months the largely cordial relationship between the UK and China has deteriorated sharply. This has happened after over two decades when, regardless of the political complexion of successive UK governments, the trend was towards closer engagement and cooperation. This briefing looks at why and how this has happened.
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Research Briefing
The UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee: functions and tasks
This briefing paper provides an overview of the responsibilities of the Joint Committee, established to oversee the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement. It sets out the tasks that need to be undertaken by the Joint Committee and indicates whether they have been completed.
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Research Briefing
Coronavirus: Changes to practice and procedure in the UK and other parliaments
This Briefing Paper illustrates changes that have been made to procedures and practices in response to coronavirus in the House of Commons and a small selection of other parliaments.
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Insight
Coronavirus: How are parliaments worldwide working during the pandemic?
Parliaments across the world are adapting to the new realities resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak.
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Research Briefing
Coronavirus: Support for economies by European and other states
What economic support have governments given to businesses and individuals to tackle the impact of the coronavirus? This paper looks at the policies put in place by the EU, governments in Europe, the US and other developed countries.
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Insight
Brexit and the Northern Ireland border
A major focus of Brexit negotiations under the May and Johnson Governments has been how to keep an open border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
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Research Briefing
Brexit Glossary
This Commons Library research briefing contains a list of commonly-used terms and acronyms that have needed clarification since the United Kingdom voted in the June 2016 EU referendum.
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Research Briefing
Withdrawal Agreement Bill: The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland
What does the Withdrawal Agreement Bill say about what will happen to Northern Ireland post-Brexit? How will it translate into UK law the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland in the Withdrawal Agreement that replaced the 'backstop'?
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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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Research Briefing
Northern Ireland, Citizenship and the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
The definition of 'EEA citizen' in the rules for the Home Office's settled status scheme has recently changed. What are the consequences? How do these changes affect the people of Northern Ireland? Why are some people unhappy with these changes? What does British nationality law say about people born in Northern Ireland? How do these nationality laws interact with the birthright provision of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement? What does the European Convention on Human Rights say about identity and immigration? What do the people of Northern Ireland say when they are asked about their nationality? This paper looks at the complex issues behind all these questions.
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Research Briefing
The Common Travel Area and the special status of Irish nationals in UK law
The Common Travel Area is a special travel zone between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. It dates back to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. This briefing focuses on how the CTA operates between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
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Debate Pack
Deforestation in the Amazon
MPs will debate e-petition 266638 relating to deforestation in the Amazon on 7 October in Westminster Hall. This House of Commons Library debate pack provides some background information and press and parliamentary coverage of the issue.
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Research Briefing
The UK’s EU Withdrawal Agreement
This briefing looks in detail at the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the EU and UK and finalised on 14 November 2018. It was endorsed by EU Member State leaders at a special European Council summit on 25 November and the UK Prime Minister promoted it in the UK Parliament and around the country. The Agreement was debated at length in Parliament on several occasions and has been voted on three times. But the House of Commons has not endorsed it. A second extension of Article 50 took exit day to 31 October 2019, but once again the UK is faced with the possibility of leaving the EU without an agreement if this agreement or another one is not ratified by the UK and the EU.
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