The investigation of former British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during “The Troubles” is receiving a significant amount of media and parliamentary attention as a result of several ongoing court cases. It is, however, the result of a process which began over a decade ago.
The House of Commons considered Lords amendments to the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill 2019-2021 on 27 January 2021. This short briefing explains the amendments made to the Bill by the House of Lords, relevant Committee recommendations, and developments during Ping Pong.
This briefing describes the main developments, since mid-2013, in long-running disputes over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), including reaction to the January 2021 ruling by the Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in a dispute between Mauritius and Maldives over the delimitation of their maritime boundaries.
Debate Pack
A debate on the "Publication of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy" has been scheduled for Tuesday 9 February 2021 in the main House of Commons Chamber. The debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee and will be led by Tobias Ellwood MP and John Spellar MP.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper sets out the background to the Armed Forces Bill 2019-21. This Bill has its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 8 February 2021.
Research Briefing
This short Commons Library briefing paper examines UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper outlines the nationality requirements for Commonwealth citizens to join the UK's armed forces. It explores the immigration requirements for Commonwealth armed forces personnel on discharge, and the immigration requirements for non-EU family members of both Commonwealth and British armed forces personnel.
Research Briefing
This landing page features a new series of Commons Library briefings on the policies, capabilities and programmes of the nuclear weapon states.
Research Briefing
The next quinquennial Armed Forces Bill is due in 2021. In 2017 the Ministry of Defence commissioned a review of the service justice system in preparation for the Bill. This paper explains what the Service Justice System is, the main outcomes of the review and the Government’s response.
Research Briefing
This paper provides details and links for ministerial statements and parliamentary debates (from both Houses of Parliament) that cover international affairs and defence.
Research Briefing
After transition the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) provisions no longer apply to the UK and formal cooperation in these areas does not form part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached at the end of December 2020. Instead, the UK Government envisages a flexible, ad hoc approach that will make use of channels of broader dialogue with the EU. How this will work in practice remains to be seen.
Research Briefing
After nearly two years of negotiation, on 5 November 2020 the EU agreed the rules on third state participation in its defence capability development initiative: PESCO. Post Brexit, those rules will now apply to the UK.
Research Briefing
There are 14 British Overseas Territories across the globe with a total population of 260,000. The Territories differ greatly in their level of economic and social development and their population size. Since March 2020 the UK Government has been working with the Overseas Territories to ensure they receive the help they need to manage outbreaks of Covid-19.
Research Briefing
The National Security and Investment Bill 2019-21 was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 19 December 2019. It was introduced in the House of Commons on 11 November 2020. Its Second Reading took place on 17 November 2020, with remaining stages scheduled for Wednesday 20 January 2021.
Insight
The ICC will not conduct a full investigation. What was said about serious crimes? And the Overseas Operations Bill?
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