• Research Briefing

    Winter floods 2015-16

    A House of Commons Library Briefing Paper setting out the Government response to the winter floods 2015-16 and the support schemes announced; commentary and calls for action following the flooding; and information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  • Debate Pack

    Food security

    This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate on Food Security to be held in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 6 January 2016 at 2.30pm. The Member in charge is Derek Thomas.

  • Research Briefing

    EU Circular Economy Package

    A House of Commons Library summary of the new EU Circular Economy Package, including key targets, timelines and proposals for recycling, food waste and landfill. Initial reactions to the new Circular Economy Package are also included.

  • Debate Pack

    Exotic pets trade

    This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate on the exotic pets trade, to be held in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 9 December 2015 at 9.30am. The Member in charge of this debate is Mr Henry Bellingham.

  • Debate Pack

    Lead shot ammunition

    This debate pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on lead shot ammunition to be held in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 8 December 2015 at 4.30-5.30pm. The Member in charge of the debate is Gerald Jones MP

  • Debate Pack

    Debate on an e-petition on neonicotinoids

    This pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on the use of neonicotinoids on crops: in Westminster Hall on Monday 7 November 2015 at 4.30pm. The subject of this debate has been chosen by the Petitions Committee and will consider e-Petition 104796: Don't kill our bees! Immediately halt the use of Neonicotinoids on crops

  • Debate Pack

    Fisheries policy

    This Debate Pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on fisheries policy to be held in Westminster Hall on Thursday 3 December at 1.30pm. The subject for this debate has been chosen by the Backbench Business Committee. This debate pack provides an overview of the fishing industry, fisheries policy and management and details some of the key concerns fishermen may have in 2016 (and beyond) in addition to conservation groups.

  • Debate Pack

    Debate on an e-petition on a tax on sugary drinks

    This pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on A tax on sugary drinks in Westminster Hall on Monday 30 November 2015 at 4.30pm. The subject of this debate has been chosen by the Petitions Committee and will consider ePetition 106651: Introduce a tax on sugary drinks in the UK to improve our children's health. Experts believe a tax of just 7p per regular-sized can of soft drink with added sugar could generate £1 billion per year. We believe this crucial revenue should be ring-fenced to support much needed preventative strategies in the NHS and schools around childhood obesity and diet-related disease. The Government responded: The Government has no plans to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The Government will announce its plans for tackling childhood obesity by the end of the year.

  • Research Briefing

    Paris Climate Conference: greenhouse gas emissions

    In December this year, representatives of 196 countries will attempt to reach an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the aim of limiting global temperatures increase to less than 2 degrees. If this Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris is successful it will be the first time, from 2020, that both