Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library briefing paper considers surrogacy and parental orders, in particular the revised position for single people who previously had been unable to obtain such an order. A link to the full report in pdf format can be found at the bottom of this page.
Research Briefing
Yvette Cooper presented a Private Member's bill, the European Union (No. 5) Bill 2017-19, on Tuesday 2 April 2019. The Bill would create a legal mechanism whereby the House of Commons can instruct the Prime Minister to ask the European Council for an extension to Article 50 in the absence of an approval resolution for an exit deal from the EU.
Research Briefing
The Family Test was introduced in 2014 in England. All new domestic laws and Government policies must apply the Family Test to make sure they support strong and stable families. The DWP has published departmental advice on conducting the Family Test. It is not a statutory requirement; publishing the results of the Test is encouraged but not required.
Research Briefing
This note examines the history and current responsibilities of Local Enterprise Partnerships.
Research Briefing
There are ongoing animal health and welfare concerns about puppy smuggling into the UK using the EU Pets Travel Scheme as a cover for importing puppies of desirable breeds, often underage and bred in poor conditions.
Research Briefing
Talks between the warring parties in Yemen have achieved a ceasefire but other commitments agreed in Stockholm are slow to be implemented; without further progress the ceasefire could crumble and Yemen could be tipped toward famine.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper sets out the current (2018/19) rates of Members' pay and ministerial salaries. It provides background to recent changes. It also notes changes in the rules relating to and budget limits for Members' expenses since 2010.
Research Briefing
This paper sets out direct tax rates and principal tax allowances for the 2019/20 tax year, as announced in the 2018 Budget on 29 October 2018. The paper outlines the conditions necessary for eligibility for these tax allowances, and provides a summary of the general tax position in straightforward cases.
Research Briefing
The Offensive Weapons Bill 2017-19 (HC Bill 232) was published on 20 June 2018. Consideration of Lords amendments is due to take place on 26 March 2019.
Research Briefing
With a week to go until the UK was due to leave the EU, EU leaders have agreed to delay Brexit. But unless the House of Commons approves the Withdrawal Agreement next week the UK could be faced with a choice between leaving the EU with no deal on 12 April or coming up with an alternative plan that could mean a longer extension and taking part in the European Parliament elections
Research Briefing
The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill 2017-19 has been reported to the House with no amendments. The Bill is due to have its Report Stage and Third Reading on a date to be announced.
Research Briefing
Media reports have speculated on whether the Government might be preparing to use its emergency powers conferred by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to manage various problems commentators have suggested may emerge after Brexit, particularly if there is no deal.
Research Briefing
With the UK due to leave the EU next week and no Withdrawal Agreement as yet approved by the House of Commons, the Government has requested that the EU agree an extension to the Article 50 period in order to delay Brexit. Under what scenarios could an Article 50 extension be agreed with the EU? And could this lead to the UK taking part in the European Parliament elections?
Research Briefing
Could the UK unilaterally terminate the Withdrawal Agreement under international law if the Irish backstop, which the Agreement says is intended to be temporary, became permanent? An amendment from Sir Edward Leigh to the Government’s motion in December 2018 on approving the Withdrawal Agreement called for an assurance from the Government that it would terminate the Withdrawal Agreement if the EU refused to agree to removing the backstop at the end of 2021. This note looks at provisions in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties for terminating and denouncing treaties, and arguments about whether these might apply to the Withdrawal Agreement if the Irish backstop were to persist.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper sets out the regulations which seek to address nuisance calls, including unsolicited sales and marketing calls, and the main ways in which individuals can try to reduce the number of unwanted calls or texts they receive.
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