The future of town centres and high streets has long been a matter of concern, with the most recent debate in the House of Commons in December 2020. This briefing highlights some of the key trends and discussions.
India experienced over a year of mass protests by farmers over agricultural reforms, the largest such protests in decades. The Indian Government passed the three farm laws in September 2020, but repealed them in November 2021 when it became clear the farmers who opposed the reforms would not back down. This briefing paper looks at the problems the reforms were trying to solve, why so many farmers were unhappy with them, why the Indian Government response to the protests was criticised, why the Indian Government criticised the international response to the protests, including in the UK, what have the UK Government and Parliament said about the protests, and if the protests have truly ended.
The Subsidy Control Bill creates a legal framework for public authorities that give subsidies to businesses, and sets out the conditions they should abide by. This briefing has been prepared for the Commons remaining stages of the Bill, which took place on 13 December 2021.
There are no official statistics on online pet sales in the UK. However, vets are reporting an increasing number bought online. A debate on e-petition 587654 on the regulation of online animal sales is due to take place in Westminster Hall on 13 December 2021.
The House of Commons rejected two amendments made to the Armed Forces Bill in the House of Lords. At their consideration of the Commons reasons for rejecting the changes, two amendments in lieu were proposed and agreed. The Bill will now come back to the House of Commons for further consideration.
The Copyright (Rights and Remuneration of Musicians Etc.) Bill would create new rights for composers and performers, including a right to equitable remuneration when their music is streamed
Coronavirus lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 meant many employers and employees were compelled to rapidly move to remote working. For many, this was their first sustained experience of homeworking. This briefing focuses on remote and hybrid work patterns in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and what this might mean for the future of work.
The purpose of this House of Commons Library briefing paper is to provide a brief overview of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (as amended).
Belarus has been accused of engineering a migrant crisis at its borders with the EU. What is the current situation and what is being done to defuse the crisis?
Dame Margaret Hodge and Kevin Hollinrake have secured a Backbench Business Committee debate on economic crime, scheduled for Thursday 2 December in the Main Chamber.
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 creates a five year period between general elections. Early elections may only be held in specified circumstances. The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill 2021-22, currently going through Parliament, would repeal the 2011 Act.
This briefing examines the ways in which central Government assesses the value for money of its spending programmes, including the new Public Value Framework.