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.
Research Briefing
The European Union offers developing countries unilateral preferential trading arrangements under its Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), which is split into three parts: standard GSP, GSP+ and 'Everything But Arms'. A new GSP Regulation is to enter into force on 1 January 2009, running to the end of 2011. This note outlines the changes that have been made, providing a background and history to the GSP.
Research Briefing
This note sets out how competition law was used to allow the merger of the Lloyds TSB and HBOS banks to be cleared by the competition authorities and the Secretary of State. It also sets out competition concerns raised by this merger.
Research Briefing
The Banking Bill represents part of the Government's legislative response to the ongoing banking crisis affecting the UK. It continues powers provided temporarily in the aftermath of the Northern Rock nationalisation; provides a framework for new rescue initiatives of failing bank; alters the existing regulatory structure surrounding banks and makes changes to the compensation scheme which protects depositors' deposits.
Research Briefing
HC Research Paper 08/87 Small Business, Insolvency and Redundancy
Research Briefing
Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme. By Louise Smith & Vincent Keter. SN/BT/827.
Research Briefing
This note describes the immediate package of financial measures announced by the Government to stabilise the UK banking system at the height of the financial crisis. It relates to the rescue package for banks and not to the reforms to regulation which followed.
Research Briefing
Banking Bill Bill 147 of 2007-08 House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/77
Research Briefing
This short Bill provides the legislative framework for an intended ‘dormant assets’ scheme. Dormant assets are those that have no clear owner; the owner has not used the account for some time and cannot be contacted. The Bill provides a mechanism by which assets so identified can be managed and distributed for defined social purposes. It also provides necessary legal protections for institutions participating in the scheme.
Research Briefing
This note summarises the background to and issues surrounding Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs), which have received a great deal of political and media attention through the creation of China's fund and the large investments made by SWFs in various Western financial institutions during the global 'credit crunch'.
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