Research Briefing
The Gulf in 2021
The UK has significant trading and security interests in the Gulf. The paper describes human rights in the region, international relations, and the World Cup.
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Research Briefing
VAT on sanitary protection
This briefing discusses the way sanitary protection is charged VAT - more specifically, the Labour Government’s introduction of a 5% rate from 1 January 2001, which was then the lowest rate then permissible due to EU VAT rules, and, more recently, with the UK's departure from the EU, the current Government’s introduction of a zero rate from 1 January 2021.
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Research Briefing
Early intervention: a background paper
This paper provides an introductory overview of the development of early intervention policies, their evidence-base and their impact. It also provides links to further reading. It complements the Library briefing paper Early Intervention: policy and provision (CBP 7647) which provides information on the provision of early intervention support programmes in England.
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Research Briefing
Limitations on the number of Ministers
The maximum number of paid ministers is set out in legislation. The Prime Minister can also appoint unpaid ministers. All ministers, combined with Parliamentary Private Secretaries make up the 'payroll vote' in the House of Commons.
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Research Briefing
People from abroad: what benefits can they claim?
This briefing provides a broad overview of the rules on access to benefits for people coming to the UK from abroad. It describes the situation for asylum seekers, nationals from European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and non-EEA nationals.
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Research Briefing
EU State Aid rules and WTO Subsidies Agreement
This briefing sets out the principles of EU rules on state aid and the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing measures.
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Research Briefing
The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement: governance and dispute settlement
This paper provides an overview of the governance and dispute settlement provisions of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Agreement establishes a network of committees to oversee its implementation. There is also an arbitration mechanism for disputes between the UK and EU, but with exemptions and variations for different policy areas.
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Research Briefing
Copycat websites charging for government services
This briefing paper considers copycat websites that offer to process services that are provided cheaper or free of charge through official government sites.
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Research Briefing
Probate fees 2021
This Commons Library briefing paper deals with a Government proposal to establish a single fee of £273 for applicants for probate to reflect the full cost of processing probate applications
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Research Briefing
Gift vouchers and insolvency
What happens to consumers' gift vouchers and other prepayments when a retailer becomes insolvent?
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Research Briefing
Coronavirus: enforcing restrictions
This Library briefing paper discusses the enforcement of coronavirus restrictions regulations in England and Wales. It explains who has powers to enforce the restrictions and what those powers are. It also summarises statistics on the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs- fines) issued by police for coronavirus offences.
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Research Briefing
UK response to Covid-19: International aid and diplomacy
The UK has used aid and diplomacy to help control the Covid-19 pandemic and limit its impact. This paper describes its response and effectiveness.
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Research Briefing
Peru: 2021 presidential election
Peru held a general election on 11 April 2021. No single presidential candidate gained a majority of votes cast, so run-off poll was held on 6 June, with Pedro Castillo securing a narrow victory.
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Research Briefing
South Sudan: a decade of independence
Assessing South Sudan a decade after independence
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Research Briefing
Universal Credit: Ten years of changes to benefit claims and payments
The introduction of Universal Credit changed the way around seven million working-age households make benefit claims and get paid. This paper explores some key changes, their effect, and the debate surrounding them.
Total results (page 152 of 559)