Research Briefing Archives

Research Briefing

Universal Credit and the claimant count

Tuesday, 21 January, 2020

This briefing paper explains how Universal Credit has increased the number of people claiming unemployment benefits, by requiring a broader group of claimants to look for work than was the case under Jobseeker’s Allowance. In January 2019, the Department for Work and Pensions published an ‘alternative’ claimant count for the first time. This models what the claimant count would have been if Universal Credit had been fully in place since 2013.
Research Briefing

Grenfell Tower Fire: Background

Monday, 20 January, 2020

This briefing sets out the Government response to the fire at Grenfell Tower which broke out on 14 June 2017, including details of the building safety programme, public inquiry and recovery taskforce.
Research Briefing

Country and regional public sector finances

Monday, 20 January, 2020

This briefing looks at estimates of public spending and revenues in UK countries and regions.
Research Briefing

General Election 2019: Voting patterns in student seats

Friday, 17 January, 2020

Where are the ‘student seats’, what were the results there, and how did this compare to other ‘young seats’?
Research Briefing

NHS Funding Bill (2019-20)

Friday, 17 January, 2020
Research Briefing

Constitutional Conventions and Citizens’ Assemblies: power to the people?

Friday, 17 January, 2020

This House of Commons Library briefing paper describes the theory and practice of constitutional conventions and citizens' assemblies.
Research Briefing

Mental health: Achieving ‘parity of esteem’

Thursday, 16 January, 2020

In the last decade there has been increased emphasis in England on regarding mental health with the same urgency as physical conditions and the term ‘parity of esteem’ has gained prominence.
- Research Briefing
- Health services
Research Briefing

General Election 2019: How does the result compare to other elections in 2019?

Thursday, 16 January, 2020

General election results are counted and declared at constituency level, while local and European Parliament election results are counted and declared at local council area level.
Research Briefing

Railways (minimum service levels) Bill 2019-20

Thursday, 16 January, 2020

The Railways (minimum service levels) Bill 2019-20 was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 19 December 2019 No date is yet available for second reading.
Research Briefing

Tax avoidance: a General Anti-Avoidance Rule – background history (1997-2010)

Thursday, 16 January, 2020

This note gives some background to the earlier debates there have been on the case for a general statutory prohibition of aggressive tax avoidance, in relation to the Coalition Government's introduction of a General Anti-Abuse Rule in 2013.
- Research Briefing
- Tax
Research Briefing

Is the criminal justice system fit for purpose?

Wednesday, 15 January, 2020

Although recent years have seen an increase in recorded crime, the number of prosecutions has fallen. The Home Affairs Committee has noted this trend could risk “both a serious decrease in public safety and in confidence in the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.” In the year ending March 2019, 5.3 million crimes were recorded
- Research Briefing
- Criminal law
Research Briefing

On the right track? The future of rail services

Wednesday, 15 January, 2020

The ongoing Williams Review is likely to recommend improving accessibility and regional accountability for rail services
- Research Briefing
- Rail
Research Briefing

Cyber security in a digital age

Wednesday, 15 January, 2020

With the rise of online services and ‘smart’ devices connected to the internet, cyber security is not just an issue for small businesses anymore
- Research Briefing
- Security
Research Briefing

Slowing economic growth, Brexit and the productivity challenge

Wednesday, 15 January, 2020

Recent years have seen steady, unspectacular economic growth. Employment rates have risen to record levels, but average wages adjusted for inflation are no higher than in 2007. This reflects a key development over the last decade: the stagnation in productivity – how much is produced for every hour worked. This remains a serious concern for
- Research Briefing
- Economic situation
Research Briefing

General Election 2019: How many women were elected?

Wednesday, 15 January, 2020

220 women were elected to Parliament on 12 December 2019 – the highest number ever.

Total results (page 225 of 638)