Research Briefing
Since 1986 block grant funding for university researrch has been selectively distributed to institutions using data obtained in some form of research assessment process. Results of the most recent process - the Research Excellence Framework (REF) were announced in December 2014. This note discusses the REF and issues around it.
Research Briefing
The Youth Contract is a package of schemes, including Apprenticeship Grants for Employers and work experience. aimed at helping young people into sustained employment.
Research Briefing
Substantial changes to the law on anti-social behaviour have come into force as a result of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. The Government is replacing a number of the legal remedies currently available. This Note gives a summary of the new powers.
Research Briefing
Palestine has acceded to the Rome Statue - the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court.
Research Briefing
How long do patients wait for cancer diagnosis and treatment? This note outlines NHS performance trends relating to cancer testing, treatment and care. In 2014 there were 1.5m urgent GP referrals with suspected cancer. This is 53% higher than in 2010. 272,000 patients began treatment for cancer, up 12% on 2010. Of these, 129,000 had previously been urgently referred by their GP, up 25% on 2010.
Research Briefing
Religious slaughter of animals for food without pre-stunning is currently permitted in the UK for Muslim (Halal) and Jewish (Shechita) methods in line with permitted exemptions to EU slaughter regulations which require pre-stunning. In practice, around 80% of halal meat in the UK is from animals that have been pre-stunned. The UK Government has said that it would prefer all animals to be pre-stunned before slaughter on welfare grounds but it observes the rights of religious communities. However, animal welfare groups, including the British Veterinary Association and RSPCA are calling for an end to non-stun slaughter. All parties in the debate would like to see labelling of meat which provides more consumer information on the slaughter methods used.
Research Briefing
Examines the Smith Commission’s proposals to devolve responsibility to the Scottish Parliament for certain key benefits, such as disability and carers' benefits. It also looks at the Draft Scotland Clauses in this area.
Research Briefing
This paper contains labour market figures for parliamentary constituencies, as well as a summary of the latest national and regional statistics
Research Briefing
A guide to debates in Parliament on the Taxation of Pensions Bill 2014-15
Research Briefing
A guide to the debates on the Pension Schemes Bill 2014-15 in the House of Lords
Research Briefing
The House of Commons Commission Bill 2014-15 amends the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978 to make changes to the membership and remit of the House of Commons Commission.
Research Briefing
As fighters from the Houthi movement have taken over the Yemeni Capital Sanaa, the situation in Yemen appears to be critical again, and the UK government has withdrawn its staff from the embassy there.
Research Briefing
The Serious Crime Bill [HL] 2013-14 had its second reading in the Commons on 5 January 2015. Library Research Paper 14/67 Serious Crime Bill provides background on the proposals in the Bill.
Research Briefing
This note explains the implications of local housing authorities (with retained stock) moving to a self-financing regime from April 2012. It considers what use authorities are making of their new financial freedoms, the case for some continuing restrictions (borrowing caps) to be lifted and the impact of this on new council house builds. [NOTE: this paper is out of date and will not be updated. For more up to date information see Library paper CBP08963 A new era for social rented housing in England?]
Research Briefing
Prisoners serving a custodial sentence do not have the right to vote under UK law. Prisoners on remand are able to vote under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000. This Standard Note provides a narrative of events from the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on 6 October 2005, in the case of Hirst v United Kingdom (No 2), to the May 2015 General Election.
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