Research Briefing
This paper provides an overview of the Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Act 2018. The Act provides for new offences of shining or directing a laser beam towards a vehicle or air traffic facility, for which the maximum penalty would be imprisonment up to 5 years, an unlimited fine, or both.
Research Briefing
A briefing on the Non-Domestic Rating (Nursery Grounds) Bill 2017-19, which will establish that plant nurseries are exempt from business rates.
Research Briefing
An overview of the attempts of the Joint Ministerial Committee on European Negotiations to agree changes to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill to gain legislative consent from the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales.
Research Briefing
There is no domestic legal or constitutional requirement for a vote to be held in Parliament to approve the Withdrawal Agreement before it is concluded by the UK and the EU under Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU). The Government can negotiate and sign an international treaty using its prerogative powers and without any formal parliamentary involvement. Article 50 TEU requires the consent of the European Parliament for the Withdrawal Agreement to be approved.
Research Briefing
This is one of two briefing papers on rail passenger franchising. This paper sets out the terms of the various rail franchises in England, Wales and Scotland. A second paper, CBP 6521, sets out in more detail how franchising works and the franchising policy of successive governments.
Research Briefing
At the 2018 local elections in England, five local authorities held voter ID pilot schemes - Bromley, Gosport, Swindon, Watford and Woking.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library briefing provides information on the area reviews of post-16 education and training which were conducted between September 2015 and March 2017.
Research Briefing
Venezuela is facing a growing political, economic and social crisis. With Presidential elections scheduled for Sunday, can things get better? This paper looks at the political developments in Venezuela from Hugo Chavez’s death in 2013 to today, the candidates and their prospects, and what might happen afterwards. Most analysts believe the incumbent President Nicolás Maduro, will win another term. However, a lot will depend on how many voters heed the main opposition bloc's call to boycott the elections, or whether they will turn out to vote for Maduro's opponent- former Chavista -Henri Falcón. With the economy in crisis, and growing poverty, hunger and disease fuelling mass migration, the prospects for Venezuela, regardless of who wins the election, do not look bright.
Research Briefing
Libya is without doubt a fragile state and efforts to rebuild it are complicated by Libyan divisions and interventions from outside.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper explains the Coalition Government's starter homes initiative. The homes were to be available at a minimum 20% discount on market value to first-time buyers under the age of 40. The paper outlines legislative provisions in the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to enact the initiative, together with planning policy reforms and a £1.2 billion Starter Homes Land Fund to support starter homes delivery. No starter homes were built and the policy appears to have been replaced by First Homes. This paper is historic and will not be updated.
Research Briefing
Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is charged on insurance premiums and covers most general insurance. This note gives a short history of the tax since it was introduced in 1993, including the rise in the main rate of tax confirmed in the Spring 2017 Budget.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library briefing provides information on key provisions in the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill 2017-19. This is a Private Member's Bill which is seeking to make provision about the oversight and management of the use of force in relation to patients in mental health units.
Research Briefing
In March 2015 Parliament passed the Corporation Tax (Northern Ireland) Act 2015 which, subject to commencement regulations, will devolve corporation tax rate setting powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Government has committed to commencing the regime if the NI Executive demonstrates its finances are on a sustainable footing. This note discusses the development of the Government’s policy and the wider debate over corporate tax competition.
Research Briefing
European leaders say they will try to save the Iran nuclear deal. Is this realistic?
Research Briefing
A person's 'domicile' is their permanent home, and while this is a concept of general law, it has long been an important consideration in an individual's liability to pay tax in the UK. "Non-domiciles" who live in the UK have been entitled to be taxed under the "remittance basis", where any overseas income or gains is only subject to UK tax if remitted to this country. In the Summer 2015 Budget the Government announced a number of major changes to non-domicile taxation which are to take effect from April 2017. This paper discusses the background to these proposals and the current debate as to their impact.
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