Research Briefing Archives

Research Briefing

FoI and Ministerial vetoes

Thursday, 20 March, 2014

The Lord Chancellor, Jack Straw, issued the first ministerial veto in relation to a FoI request on 23 February 2009 for the contents of the legal advice on military action against Iraq. Two subsequent vetoes were issued protecting communications on devolution issues and a fourth on. A fourth veto was issued on 8 May 2012 blocking the release of the NHS Transitional Risk Register and a fifth in July 2012 blocking extracts from Cabinet minutes on the military action against Iraq in 2003. The most recent, the sixth, was on 16 October 2012, relating to the release of correspondence from Prince Charles to Government departments. This Standard Note traces the history of the veto within FoI legislation and summarises comparative examples abroad.
- Research Briefing
- Government
Research Briefing

Roads: HGV road user levy

Wednesday, 19 March, 2014

This note provides information on the implementation of the HGV road user levy, to be introduced in the UK from 1 April 2014.
Research Briefing

Public Reading Stage of Bills

Wednesday, 19 March, 2014

This note reviews the proposals for introducing a public reading stage for bills; outlines the pilots that have been conducted; and reports on the evaluations of those pilots.
- Research Briefing
- Parliament
Research Briefing

Unemployment by Constituency, March 2014

Wednesday, 19 March, 2014

This paper contains labour market figures for parliamentary constituencies, as well as a summary of the latest national and regional statistics
Research Briefing

Prospects for Afghanistan as ISAF withdrawal approaches

Wednesday, 19 March, 2014

2014 is a pivotal year for Afghanistan, with a crucial presidential election in April and the end of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) combat mission in December. Security overall is deteriorating in Afghanistan and although the Afghan National Security Forces are taking the lead, questions remain about their effectiveness and the government’s dependence on international help to pay for them. It is unclear whether there will be any Western military presence after 2014. Negotiations with the Taliban do not seem to offer much hope.
Research Briefing

Pensions Bill 2013-14 – House of Lords stages

Tuesday, 18 March, 2014

Covers debates on the Pensions Bill in the House of Lords
Research Briefing

Economic Indicators, Budget Update

Monday, 17 March, 2014

This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries.
- Research Briefing
Research Briefing

Ukraine, Crimea and Russia

Monday, 17 March, 2014

In 2014 Russian-backed forces took over the Crimean autonomous assembly, which subsequently declared independence from Ukraine.
Research Briefing

Budget 2014: Background briefing

Friday, 14 March, 2014

This note sets out the background to the 2014 Budget.
Research Briefing

Single-tier State Pension – women born between 1951 and 1953

Friday, 14 March, 2014

This note looks at the arguments regarding those women born between April 1951 and 1953 who are expected not to be eligible for the Government's proposed Single-tier State Pension, although a man born on the same date may be.
- Research Briefing
- Pensions
Research Briefing

Health and Wellbeing Boards (England)

Thursday, 13 March, 2014

This note provides information on Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs), which were introduced as statutory committees of all upper-tier local authorities under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. HWBs, which came fully into effect on 1 April 2013, are intended to; improve the health and wellbeing of the people in their area; reduce health inequalities; and, promote the integration of services.
Research Briefing

Local authorities’ public health responsibilities (England)

Thursday, 13 March, 2014

This note sets out the main statutory duties for public health that were conferred on local authorities by the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The note includes information on public health funding; how local authorities have been spending their ring-fenced public health grants; and on accountability arrangements.
Research Briefing

Roads: 30 mph repeater signs

Tuesday, 11 March, 2014

This note explains the law regarding the use of 30 mph repeater signs in urban areas.
- Research Briefing
- Roads
Research Briefing

Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: amendments

Tuesday, 11 March, 2014

The Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was amended at third reading in the Lords. This Note discusses the changes, which covered the size of the Assembly, the Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
- Research Briefing
- Devolution
Research Briefing

Badger Cullling: TB Control Policy

Tuesday, 11 March, 2014

TB badger control policy in England and Wales.

Total results (page 310 of 559)