Research Briefing
Elections to the Scottish Parliament took place on 5 May 2016. The Scottish National Party won the largest number of seats (63), but lost the majority they held in the preceding Parliament. The Conservative Party came second with 31 seats, their best performance at any Scottish Parliament elections. Turnout was 55.7%, an increase of 5.3% points from 2011.
Research Briefing
It was the first Assembly election when all three UK-wide parties: Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats lost seats. Labour fell short of a majority and won 29 of the 60 seats in the National Assembly. The Conservatives, for the first time, did not increase their seat count loosing 3 seats.
Research Briefing
Elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 5 May 2016 resulted in little change in the party composition. Following the elections the two largest parties in the Assembly remain the DUP (38 MLAs) and Sinn Féin (28 MLAs).
Research Briefing
This paper discusses the proposals made by the Smith Commission - in its report published in November 2014 - for further devolution of power to the Scottish Government, in relation to taxation, funding and borrowing, and the Government’s plans for their implementation.
Debate Pack
This debate pack has been prepared for the Westminster Hall debate on the future framework for human rights in Scotland on Wednesday 2 March 2016. The debate has been tabled by Richard Arkless MP.
Research Briefing
A Bill to implement provisions of the Fresh Start Agreement on tackling paramilitarism and balanced budgets.
Research Briefing
This Commons Library briefing provides details of the progress of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill through Parliament, including a note on some amendments tabled at Report stage.
Debate Pack
This is a debate pack produced by the House of Commons Library ahead of the debate on the North East Devolution Deal to be held on Thursday 26 November 2015 at 1.30pm in Westminster Hall. The Member in charge of the debate is Mr Nicholas Brown.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library paper describes the devolution of electoral arrangements to Wales. The draft Wales Bill published on 20 October 2015 is the latest development in this process. The paper looks at developments since 2012 and discusses debates about the number of constituencies in Wales.
Research Briefing
The Northern Ireland (Welfare Reform) Bill is part of a process to stabilise the political institutions in Northern Ireland. It stems from a package agreed between the UK and Irish Governments and the largest Northern Ireland parties: the Fresh Start agreement. This paper gives a guide to the Bill, and to the agreement.
Research Briefing
Summer Budget 2015 included proposals to reduce the income threshold for tax credits – the amount families can earn before their award starts to reduce – and to increase the “taper” – the rate at which tax credits are withdrawn as family income increases – from 41% to 48%. The changes were to have taken
Research Briefing
This Briefing Paper gives an update on the Scotland Bill 2015-16 after Committee stage. No opposition amendments were made at Committee stage. The Government has produced substantive amendments of its own for Report.
Research Briefing
The Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons on 14 October. Many Members from all parties welcomed the Bill, some with greater enthusiasm than others. Many addressed the question of elected mayors, and opposition Members drew attention to the issue of local government finance. A number also
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