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 weeks articles are 'Who’s looking for work? Differences between ILO unemployment and the claimant count' and 'Interesting times: inflation and monetary policy responses'
Research Briefing
This note sets out the background to the 2013 Autumn Statement which will take place on Thursday 5 December. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will publish revised forecasts for the economy and public finances on the same day.
Research Briefing
This briefing provides background to the public inquiry led by Robert Francis QC into serious failings in care at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust before 2009. It also provides some information on the Government’s initial response to the Francis report, which was published on 6 February 2013.
Research Briefing
This Note provides background to the introduction of the Labour Government's school funding reforms in 2006, details of the reforms (which included the introduction of a ring-fenced schools budget, known as the Dedicated Schools Grant), and the March 2010 consultation on the introduction of a school funding formula.
Research Briefing
The Royal Navy is in the middle of an ambitious programme to upgrade its surface fleet with new destroyers, frigates and at least one operational aircraft carrier.
Research Briefing
This note provides an overview of the health provisions in the Care Bill, including developments during the Bill’s Committee and Report Stages in the Lords.
Research Briefing
Looks at provisions in the Pensions Bill 2013/14 and will follow its progress through Parliament.
Research Briefing
The Government has announced that, from March 2014, it will introduce a national domestic violence disclosure scheme. This will provide a framework for the police to disclose information about an individual’s history of domestic violence to a new partner.
Research Briefing
Report Stage and Third Several amendments were tabled prior to Report stage, including one which sought to impose an obligation on the Government to report on the viability and cost-effectiveness of the plan to increase the size of the Reserves, which would then be subject to approval by both Houses before the Government could continue with its reform agenda. Despite the support of several Conservative backbenchers, that amendment was, however, defeated on division. A clause seeking to increase the leave entitlement of Reservists was also defeated. Reading of the Defence Reform Bill took place in the House of Commons on 20 November 2013.
Research Briefing
Another victory for Vladimir Putin?
Research Briefing
Does the UK have an opt-out from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights via its Protocol? This Note presents views on the nature of the Protocol and what a 2011 ruling on the effects of the Protocl might mean with regard to the effects of the Charter in the UK.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill. It complements Research Paper 13/55 prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
Research Briefing
Romania and Bulgaria (the ‘A2’ states) joined the EU on 1 January 2007. Their EU accession treaty permitted other Member States to impose transitional restrictions on the free movement rights of Bulgarian and Romanian ‘workers’ for up to seven years after accession, in order to guard against disruption of their labour markets. All Member States must lift restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian workers by the end of 2013.
Research Briefing
This note sets out the historical rates for the major social security benefits since the introduction of the modern welfare state in 1948.
Research Briefing
In the 2013 Queen’s Speech the Government announced a ‘paving bill’ to authorise further spending on preparation for the HS2 project. This note covers the Parliamentary stages of the paving bill through to Royal Assent on 21 November 2013.
Total results (page 313 of 554)