Research Briefing
This note discusses the reforms to taxing small businesses set out in the 2007 Budget - in particular, the phased increase in the small companies tax rate - before looking at the recent change in the Government's approach, signalled in the 2008 Pre-Budget Report.
Research Briefing
The financial crisis in the US: key events, causes and responses House of Commons Library Research Paper 09/34
Research Briefing
This note describes a Private Members Bill, introduced by Malcolm Wicks MP, with government support, to modernise industrial provident societies and other third sector business forms.
Research Briefing
The global financial crisis has been tumultuous for Iceland. Until recently considered a rich, successful and competitive nation, Iceland suffered a dramatic collapse of its economy and currency following the collapse of its banking sector in October 2008. It was forced to negotiate a loan from the IMF and further financial support from a number of countries, and saw the fall of its government. The crisis has led to renewed suggestions that Iceland may apply to join the EU and adopt the euro. Following the Government's fall in January 2009, a caretaker Government took over in February and elections are expected on 25 April 2009. The major partner in the caretaker left-wing coalition, the Social Democratic Alliance, was a member of the previous administration and is strongly pro-EU, but its new partner, the Left Green Movement, has said it will continue to oppose EU membership.
Research Briefing
This Note brings together documents relevant to UK legislation on the application of EU Timeshare Directives.
Research Briefing
The European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries have been renegotiating their relationship. A series of interim Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) were signed with a number of ACP countries towards the end of 2007, as well as a more comprehensive EPA with the Caribbean ACPs. This note updates with recent developments, and outlines some of the criticisms there have been of EPAs and the negotiations.
Research Briefing
This Bill would amend section 8(5) of the Industrial Development Act 1982 and section 1(1) of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991. The Bill proposes to increase the total level of financial support to industry allowed under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. The Bill also proposes to widen support provided by the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) to include exports that have already taken place.
Research Briefing
This short note describes what legal tender means and what determines the acceptability, or otherwise, of Scottish banknotes in the rest of the United Kingdom.
Research Briefing
The purpose of this Bill is to make the payment of rate relief for small businesses in England automatic. Currently, businesses have to apply to their billing authority once within each revaluation period (five years) to receive the relief during this period.
Research Briefing
This short Bill establishes a government subsidised savings scheme for people of working age on low incomes. The Saving Gateway has been trialled in several regions; the Bill establishes a scheme for the whole of the country.
Research Briefing
Research Briefing
This is a report on the Committee Stage of the Business Rate Supplements Bill 2008-09, produced in response to a recommendation of the Modernisation Committee in its report on The Legislative Process (HC 1097, 2005-06).
Research Briefing
This short Bill establishes a government subsidised savings scheme for people of working age on low incomes. The Saving Gateway has been trialled in several regions; the Bill establishes a scheme for the whole of the country.
Total results (page 55 of 61)
