Will David Cameron succeed in blocking the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker for European Commission President? Juncker has the support of most Member State governments but the UK Prime Minister thinks he is too integrationist and would not implement necessary reforms.
This note provides information on estimates of housing need and demand in England. It includes information on some of the main factors which influence demand and need for housing.
In October 2011 the Prime Minister said he wanted to “raise Right to Buy discounts to a level which will make the scheme attractive again and rejuvenate the housing stock.” This note summarises various changes to the Right to Buy (RTB) in England and reactions to those changes.
This note discusses the development of the current structure of bingo duty, before looking at the decision by the Government to cut the rate of bingo duty to 10% in Budget 2014.
The Procedure Committee's recommendation that a trial take place in 2014-15 Session of a three-day deadline for the tabling of amendments and new clauses/schedules at report stage of all programmed bills will be debated on 8 May 2014. It is hoped this will ensure a timetable could be agreed for report stage debates.
In the northeast of Nigeria, an Islamist terrorist insurgency continues to rage. At the head of the insurgency is Boko Haram, which calls for the introduction of Sharia law and an Islamic state across the whole of Nigeria. There has been a state of emergency in the three northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa since mid-2013. Well over 2000 people are estimated to have died in attacks by the group since the beginning of 2014.The Nigerian authorities have been heavily criticised both at home and abroad for their ineffective response to the crisis. Outrage in Western countries following the kidnapping in April of about 270 schoolgirls in Borno state has led the UK, US and French governments to make offers of assistance to the Nigerian authorities despite the poor human rights record of the security forces.
The European Union (Referendum) Bill could be presented for Royal Assent under the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 if it is passed by the House of Commons and rejected again by the House of Lords.
This note provides an overview of the rights of persons from abroad (countries outside the EEA) to access social housing in England, including UK nationals returning from living abroad.
A summary of the Government response to severe flooding in the Winter of 2013-14, including details of recent announcements by the Prime Minister, information about Government policy on flood planning and response, and sources of advice for those affected. Recent updates include details of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee report on the Winter Floods published in June 2014.