Work and incomes

This paper discusses the way that Parliament scrutinises the Government's proposals for taxation, set out in the annual Budget statement. It looks at how this procedure may be affected by the timing of a General Election, and the decision in 2017 to move the Budget from the Spring to the Autumn. It also provides some suggestions for further reading.

This Insight examines unemployment rates and wages as causes of income inequality.

This Commons Library Briefing Paper discusses issues relating to returning to work as the Government re-opens the economy. It provides an overview of relevant health and safety law and a discussion of Government guidance on working safely in the context of Covid-19. It also includes a discussion of the positions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A briefing paper covering the Fair Funding Review and business rate retention in English local government.

From 1 August the Government will be relaxing the guidance on working from home in England. This Insight explores what this new announcement means for employers and for employees.

The Stamp Duty Land Tax (Temporary Relief) Bill 2019-21 implements a temporary increase in the stamp duty land tax nil rate band, announced by the Government on 8 July 2020. The Bill completed all of its stages in the Commons on 13 July, and this legislation received Royal Assent on 22 July.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak presented the 2020 Budget on 11 March. The Finance Bill 2019-21 was published on 17 March, and completed its scrutiny in the House of Commons on 2 July. The Finance Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 22 July.

Statistics on workplace health and safety in the United Kingdom. Information on fatalities, accidents and illnesses by industry sector, region and country. Also includes international comparisons.

This note provides background on traineeships: what they are, what they entail, how they are funded, and guidance for prospective employers and providers.

Please note: for information on accessing food banks and food parcels during the pandemic please see our briefing Coronavirus: Support for household finances. For an account of developments in food bank activity over the crisis period see section 7 of this paper, Food Banks in the UK. Recent research means we have increasing amounts of data on food banks, giving us a fuller picture of their provision across the UK, and providing a more detailed picture of the characteristics of food bank users.

This briefing provides an overview of tax statistics, including recent trends, forecasts, and distribution of taxpayers.

A briefing on the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill 2019-21.

This Insight discusses exploitation in UK garment factories, how workers’ rights are enforced, and the calls to make companies responsible for rights violations in their supply chains.