Sciences

This page summarises the Commons Library publications on energy policy. The overview briefing paper provides background on energy in the UK, the basis for energy policy, and a timeline of significant developments in energy policy.

This Commons Library briefing paper provides an overview of UK vaccination policy. It includes an introduction to the science of vaccination and covers UK vaccination programmes, as well as considering the response of the Government to the UK's loss of the World Health Organization's (WHO) measles elimination status.

This paper explains what electric vehicles are and how successive governments have planned for infrastructure and provided vehicle grants and incentives to encourage and accommodate their growth. It also sets out how the electricity grid is preparing to accommodate any increased demand from EV charging and looks at comparative emissions from EVs and conventional vehicles.

This briefing provides an overview of the Telecommunications (Security) Bill in advance of its second reading on 30 November 2020.

A debate will be held in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 24 November 2020 at 9.30am on recognising and preserving the value of charity-funded medical research in the 2020 Spending Review. The subject for the debate has been nominated by the Backbench Business Committee and the debate will be opened by Dr James Davies MP and Chris Green MP.

This Commons Library briefing paper provides an overview of testing for Covid-19 in England. It covers the different types of test that are in use and in development, as well as testing capacity, the criteria for being tested, and the presentation of testing data.

This Insight examines what can affect test results and explain why we can’t always apply general mathematic principles to specific situations (like Covid-19).

The Forensic Science Regulator and Biometrics Strategy 2019-20 was introduced by Darren Jones MP following the Private Members' Bills Ballot on 9 January 2020. First reading took place on 5 February 2020 and the Bill's second reading is due on 25 September 2020.

This Commons Library briefing looks at the funding received by the UK from EU institutions and considers the implications of Brexit on the EU as a source of funding for regional development, agriculture support, research and innovation and other areas.

The Medicines and Medical Devices Bill 2019-21 (Bill 136) was introduced in the Commons on 13 February 2020 and had its Second Reading on 2 March 2020. The Committee Stage ran from 8-10 June 2020 and remaining Commons stages took place on 23 June 2020. The Bill received its Second Reading in the Lords on 2 September 2020.

In 2019, there were 3.4 million procedures completed involving regulated living animals, which was the lowest annual number since 2007. This note summarises and analyses trends in data, including the growth of universities as the dominant seat of research on animals, the use of different species, and the decline of research for toxicological purposes.