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Research Briefing
Collective responsibility
This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper looks at collective responsibility, a constitutional convention in the UK whereby the Government is collectively accountable to Parliament for its actions, policies and decisions.
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Research Briefing
Balfour Declaration
As its centenary approaches, this paper examines contemporary views on the Balfour Declaration.
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Research Briefing
Brexit and the EU Court
The High Court has ruled that the UK Government does not have prerogative power to give notice under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union for the UK to withdraw from the EU. The Government is appealing to the Supreme Court. Some press reports suggest the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) would have the last word on this. But can the CJEU rule on matters of UK constitutional Law? Many experts believe that the question central to the case, but not ruled on by the High Court, was whether Article 50 notice, once given, could be withdrawn. If it can be revoked, then the argument that Article 50 notice leads inevitably to a loss of rights under the European Communities Act 1972 might not hold. This paper looks at the questions of revocability and referral to the EU Court.
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Research Briefing
DFID’s Civil Society Partnership Review (CSPR)
Outcomes of, and reactions to, DFID's recent Civil Society Partnership Review (CSPR).
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Research Briefing
Brexit: the Brussels IIa regulation – cross-border child contact cases, and child abduction
This note considers the effect of Brexit on the UK in terms of the Brussels IIa regulation concerning cross-border child contact cases, and international child abduction within the EU.
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Research Briefing
Savings (Government Contributions) Bill – debates in Parliament
Covers debates in Parliament on the legislation to introduce the Lifetime ISA and Help to Save Accounts announced in Budget 2016
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Research Briefing
Members’ pay and expenses and ministerial salaries 2016/17
This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper sets out the current rates of Members' pay and ministerial salaries. It provides background to recent changes. It also charts the changes in the rules relating to and budget limits for Members' expenses since 2010.
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Research Briefing
Brexit: employment law
This short note discusses the interaction between UK and EU employment law; the potential consequences of Brexit; and the Government's position on the issue.
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Research Briefing
Brexit: some legal, constitutional and financial unknowns
This Commons Library briefing looks at some of the basic ‘unknowns’ relating to Brexit. The unknowns cover areas such as a role for the UK Parliament and the devolved legislatures in the Brexit process, relations with the EU institutions, the economic impact on the UK, and changes to citizens’ rights.
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Research Briefing
Technical and Further Education Bill [Bill No 82 of 2016-17]
The Technical and Further Education Bill 2016-17 sets out provisions to improve the quality of technical education (TE), address skill shortages and support the Government’s social mobility agenda. The Bill's proposals will: rename the Institute for Apprenticeships the "Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education" and extend its remit to cover technical education, create an insolvency framework for FE corporations and sixth form colleges and extend the statutory duty to provide information on FE to cover providers of FE who receive funding from the combined authorities. The Bill implements recommendations from the Government's Post-16 Skills Plan and the consultation on developing new insolvency regime for the FE sector.
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Research Briefing
Applying to the European Court of Human Rights
Members of Parliament are often asked how constituents can take a case to the European Court of Human Rights. This Commons Library briefing summarises the main features of the process, and emphasises recent changes to it.
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Research Briefing
Driving and mobile phones
This short paper briefly summarises the introduction of a new offence in 2003 for driving whilst using a hand-held mobile phone or similar device, changes made to the penalties since then, future plans for further changes, and how effective the offence has been. It also sets out charging policy in this general area and briefly addresses the question of using a mobile phone while cycling.
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Research Briefing
NATO’s military response to Russia: November 2016 update
To counter increased assertiveness by Russia along NATO's eastern flank, the alliance adopted its Readiness Action Plan in 2014. This briefing paper explains the main elements with a specific focus on the UK military contribution.
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Research Briefing
Regional Growth Fund
This note examines the Regional Growth Fund, which is worth over £3.2 billion over the five years from 2011-12 to 2016-17. It is intended to promote the private sector in areas in England most at risk to public sector cuts.
Total results (page 252 of 557)