Research Briefing
New interim government chosen after Prime Minister Ali Zeidan was ousted from office. New elections promised for July 2014. The country is plagued by violence and fighting. Fighting is often over the country’s huge oil wealth. Distinction between official security forces and unlawful militias is blurred.
Research Briefing
The number of food banks in the UK has increased substantially in recent years. This note explains how food banks work, examines their growth and discusses possible contributing factors and policy developments.
Research Briefing
Discusses the Government's consultation on whether to allow a limited 'statutory override' of pension protection arrangements put in place in some denationalised industries in the 1990s
Research Briefing
Looks at the provisions to allow councillors access to the Local Government Pension Scheme from 2003 and the removal of this for councillors in England from April 2014
Research Briefing
This paper sets out the main changes to direct tax rates and allowances announced in the Budget on 19 March 2014.
Research Briefing
Industrial policy is the way that government supports industry to boost the economy. This note surveys industrial policy since 2010.
Research Briefing
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. This months articles: Income tax: The higher rate threshold and Who is economically inactive?
Research Briefing
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) replaced incapacity benefits for new claims from October 2008. Between 2010 and 2014, around 1.5 million claimants of old-style incapaqcity benefits are being reassessed for ESA. To date, over 1.1 million incapacity benefit claimants have been reassessed, and around a fifth have been found “Fit for Work.”
Research Briefing
Attitudes to US Secretary of State's drive to revive the Middle East peace process have generally been pessimistic. Is that justified?
Research Briefing
Summary (with chronological list) of attempts to build an airport in the Thames estuary since the 1940s
Research Briefing
The development of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England since its establishment in 2005, including the 2014 reforms.
Research Briefing
The Wales Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on 20 March 2014; it is due to have its second reading on 31 March 2014. The Bill devolves some tax-raising powers to the National Assembly for Wales. Stamp duty and landfill tax are devolved, while a power is created to reduce income tax by 10 pence in the pound and put a Welsh rate of income tax in its place. The Bill allows these powers over income tax to be devolved only if they are approved in a referendum, the calling of which is subject to parliamentary approval and a two-thirds majority in the Assembly.
Research Briefing
This note provides pointers to the developments since publication of the report. It does not attempt to summarise the complex arguments involved or differences between the various proposals for draft legislation that have been brought forward.
Total results (page 309 of 559)