Research Briefing
This Standard Note sets out progress on the European Union (Referendum) Bill 2013-4 introduced by the Conservative MP James Wharton, who was first in the ballot for Private Members’ Bills. Research Paper 13/41 European Union (Referendum) Bill gives full background to the Bill.
Research Briefing
This note describes the proposed changes to the rules surrounding the granting of mortgages by lenders. The changes are intended to provide more protection for consumers and to reduce the chance of mortgage holders experiencing difficulty in paying off their debt. The mortgage industry however, argue that the rules are too strict and will dramatically reduce the chance of some sections of society being able to get the loan funding that they want.
Research Briefing
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries.
Research Briefing
Looks at the contribution conditions for the single-tier State Pension to be introduced for future pensioners from 6 April 2016
Research Briefing
This briefing compiles 2011 Census data for UK constituencies - including age, country of birth, ethnicity, car ownership and housing tenure. Highest and lowest constituencies, maps and access to demographic profiles of all parliamentary constituencies.
Research Briefing
The main purpose of the National Insurance Contributions Bill 2013-14 is to implement the new Employment Allowance - which allows businesses to claim up to £2,000 from their annual payment of NICs. The Bill also contains a number of miscellaneous measures announced in Budget 2013 relating to the scope of NICs. This note gives an overview of the Bill’s scrutiny to date. It is complemented by a Library Research paper prepared for its Second Reading debate (RP13/60, 20 November 2013).
Research Briefing
The Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Bill [HL] is based substantially on a draft bill prepared by the Law Commission. It is following the special procedure which applies to Law Commission bills. The Bill is a technical Bill which would amend aspects of the law of intestacy and family provision claims; and the statutory powers of trustees in all trusts.
Research Briefing
The UK’s first local TV channel began broadcasting in November 2013, with others scheduled to launch in 2014. This note describes the background to the policy, how the channels are funded and the licence conditions imposed on them.
Research Briefing
Fears of a Russian military intervention in Ukraine are rising as the country faces a political crisis.
Research Briefing
This note discusses the pros and cons of the currency options which would be available to an independent Scotland.
Research Briefing
The causes of the eurozone crisis are summarised in this two-page overview, which examines why Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus have had to take emergency loans - or "bailouts" - from other eurozone and EU governments and the IMF.
Research Briefing
Should the identities of arrested suspects be made public by the police before they have been charged with an offence?
Research Briefing
This paper looks in brief at some of the developments relating to elections and electoral administration in the UK since the general election since 2010. It tracks the commitments in relation to elections contained in the Coalition Government’s agreement, The Coalition: Our Programme for Government, published in May 2010. Other key developments relating to elections are outlined, for example the Law Commission’s review of electoral law and proposed changes to electoral arrangements for the Northern Ireland Assembly and the National Assembly for Wales
Research Briefing
The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill would make a number of changes to the criminal justice system including sentencing; cautions; prisoners’ release and recall; and the detention of young offenders. It would also reform court proceedings and costs; establish a new system of strict liability in contempt proceedings; create new offences for juror misconduct; make changes to the conduct and funding of judicial review claims; and amend the law on extreme pornography.
Research Briefing
This note outlines the background to proposals for introducing salaries for the chairmen of standing committees (now public bill and general committees), which were agreed by the House on 13 July 2005.
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