Research Briefing
In the Scottish Independence Referendum held on the 18th September 2014, the proposition ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ was rejected by a margin of 10.6 percentage points. The turnout at the referendum was 84.6% including rejected papers (84.5% based on valid votes). This is the highest turnout at a nationwide referendum or parliamentary election in Scotland since the franchise was extended to women in 1918.
Research Briefing
This note provides information on the current and future strength of the UK Armed Forces
Research Briefing
The advance of ISIS in Iraq and Syria seems to have been slowed, but Western and regional states are struggling to formulate a convincing response to it
Research Briefing
Discusses proposals to improve outcomes for savers in defined contribution (DC) pension schemes
Research Briefing
Looks at the regulatory framework for DC pension schemes
Research Briefing
Accounting changes introduced to Public Sector Finance statistics from September 2014, are set to increase UK Public Sector Net Debt (PSND) and Public Sector Net Borrowing (PSNB) by around £130bn and £4bn respectively in 2013/14. The Public Sector Current Budget deficit and Public Sector Net Investment will also be affected.
Research Briefing
Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to a number of serious diseases. People suffering from certain conditions may be able to pursue a civil claim for damages against one or more employers responsible for exposing them to asbestos negligently and/or in breach of a statutory duty. Compensation may also be available under schemes administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
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
In May 2014 the European Court of Justice ruled that a user had the right to have links to web pages about him removed from Google’s search results because the passage of time had made them “irrelevant”. This Note examines what the judgment means for search engines, for individuals and for the UK.
Research Briefing
The 2014 NATO Wales Summit discussed Russia, Ukraine, Iraq, defence spending amongst allies and the end of combat operations in Afghanistan.
Research Briefing
The EU has just appointed four new institutional leaders: the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This Note looks at the background to the four recent appointments.
Research Briefing
The International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill 2014-15 would put the 0.7% aid target in legislation and would create a new body to carry out independent evaluation of aid spending.
Research Briefing
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas. This Private Member's Bill aims to introduce a requirement that a functioning carbon monoxide detector must be installed in all newly built and all rented residential properties.
Research Briefing
The date for the 2015 general election has been set by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011. This briefing explains changes to the dissolution of parliament resulting from the 2011 act and the timetable for the 2015 election.
Research Briefing
The conflict in Ukraine is in danger of becoming a "frozen conflict" with no clear peace agreement in sight.
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