Research Briefing
Rail structures, ownership and reform
This paper explains the various ways railways are structured around the world and sets out how rail structures in Great Britain have developed to date and prospects for the future.
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Research Briefing
Rail electrification
This briefing paper explains the rail electrification schemes planned by the Labour, Coalition and Conservative governments and where things currently stand with each one.
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Research Briefing
Finances of the Monarchy
This briefing provides information about the Royal finances. It includes figures for the official income and expenditure of the Queen and the Prince of Wales. Statistics are published in full in the supplementary tables at the bottom of the page.
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Research Briefing
UK by-elections held more than 3 months after vacancy
A by-election takes place in the House of Commons when a seat becomes vacant, either through the Member of Parliament dying or resigning the seat. This list notes by-elections that have taken place more than three months after the vacancy.
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Research Briefing
The New Homes Bonus Scheme (England)
This House of Commons Library briefing paper explains how the New Homes Bonus works and provides comment on its impact. The New Homes Bonus is a Government scheme which is aimed at encouraging local authorities to grant planning permissions for the building of new homes in return for additional revenue.
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Research Briefing
Local Plan Intervention: a question of MP influence
Last year the Government gained new powers to intervene in the local plan-making process, aimed at enabling the planning system to deliver more housing at a quicker pace. Powers in the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 will, once in force, give the Government further opportunities for intervention. Three out of four recent Government interventions have been
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Research Briefing
Syria and Iraq: update July 2017
The campaign for Mosul is making good progress and the re-conquest of Raqqah from ISIS is beginning. The Assad government looks as if it is here to stay, however.
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Research Briefing
Litter: key trends, policy and legislation
A House of Commons Library Briefing Paper examining trends in litter and the policy and legislation in place to address litter problems in England. Information for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is also included.
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Research Briefing
Overseas students: frequently asked questions
In 2015/16 there were 438,000 overseas students studying at UK universities; 19% of the total student population. 127,000 were from the EU and 311,000 from elsewhere. In this post we look at the details behind these figures and answer some frequently asked questions. How has this number changed over time? Overseas student numbers increased 2003/04
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Research Briefing
Commons Library analysis: Bees and neonicotinoids
This briefing concentrates on the interaction between bees and a group of insecticides - known as neonicotinoids - which have been in the spotlight after a number of studies yielded evidence (although much of that evidence is contested) of sub-lethal, harmful effects on bees. In July 2015, the UK Government granted an emergency authorisation for the use of restricted neonicotinoids on oil seed rape seeds in four English counties. Similar application for emergency authorisations for 2016 and 2017 were rejected.
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Research Briefing
Troops in Afghanistan
The UK is sending more troops to Afghanistan as part of a wider increase in NATO troop numbers.
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Research Briefing
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill: constitutional change and legal continuity
Nine months after Theresa May first announced that there would be a ‘Great Repeal Bill’, and three and a half months after triggering Article 50, the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill (EUW Bill) was published on 13 July 2017. The Bill is a complex mixture of constitutional change and legal continuity. This post highlights some of
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Research Briefing
Brexit Negotiations: The Irish border question
The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and how it will operate, is one of the three main areas of discussion in the first phase of Brexit negotiations . This paper sets out the different UK and EU negotiating positions as well as how they both pledge to honour the Good Friday Agreement, and what this pledge commits both sides to. It looks at how the Northern Irish devolved government is inputting into the talks, and how the confidence and supply deal between the Conservative party and the DUP might impact on the negotiations. This paper explores how people will move between the two countries, and how the Common Travel Area might be maintained. It also looks at the complexities of avoiding a 'hard border', the stated position of both the EU and the UK, while still adhering to EU rules on moving goods between itself and countries outside the Single Market and Customs Union.
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Research Briefing
Foreign Investment in UK Residential Property
This short House of Commons Library briefing paper considers the extent to which foreign ownership of residential property should be considered an issue for the UK housing market.
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Research Briefing
Houses in multiple occupation & planning restrictions
This House of Commons Library briefing paper explains the powers English and Welsh local authorities have to use the planning system to limit the development of new houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Total results (page 297 of 638)