Research Briefing
2014 Benefit Uprating
State pension, benefits and tax credits increase in April 2014 - how are the new rates are calculated and which benefits are restricted to a 1% increase?
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Research Briefing
Burma: recent political and security developments
Burma’s international rehabilitation continues. However, critics argue that the pace of this rehabilitation is too fast because the outcome of the current Constitutional review process is not yet clear; a durable peace deal with the country’s ethnic insurgencies has not been achieved; and inter-communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims persists. There has been criticism of the UK Government for providing some training for the Burmese military.
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Research Briefing
Regulation of herbal medicines
This note deals with regulatory changes due to the EU Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products
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Research Briefing
Housing association tenants: right to buy
Most housing association tenants do not have the right to buy their home. This note explains the current position and outlines some alternative options.
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Research Briefing
Paying the housing element of Universal Credit direct to tenants in social rented housing
This note explains the Government’s intention that social housing tenants in receipt of assistance with their housing costs should take responsibility for passing this assistance to their landlords when Universal Credit is phased in from April 2013.
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Research Briefing
Extradition and the European Arrest Warrant – Recent Developments
This note is designed to complement two earlier Standard Notes on extradition namely: ‘The UK/US Extradition Treaty’ (SN/HA/2204) and ‘The introduction of the European Arrest Warrant’ (SN/HA/1703) which each set out background information to the introduction of the current extradition regime (governed by the Extradition Act 2003).
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Research Briefing
Local Government Finance Settlement 2014/15
The 2014/15 Local Government Finance Settlement was confirmed on 5 February 2014. In England, Settlement Funding Assessments will fall by 9.4% and Spending Power will decrease by 3.1%.
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Research Briefing
Children and Families Bill: Lords’ Amendments to Part 3 (Children and Young People in England with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities)
This note covers the main amendments made to Part 3 of the Children and Families Bill during the House of Lords consideration of the Bill. Part 3 of the Bill relates to children and young people in England with special educational needs (SEN) or, as a result of amendments made at Lords’ Report Stage, with disabilities. The House of Commons is due to consider the Lords’ amendments on Monday 10 February 2014.
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Research Briefing
The Green Deal
This paper describes the Government's Green Deal energy efficiency policy. The Government has since decided to stop funding the Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC) which was set up to lend money to Green Deal providers.
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Research Briefing
Economic Indicators, February 2014
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries.
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Research Briefing
Prisons: The role of the private sector
Contracted (private sector) prisons have attracted controversy in the UK ever since the first – HMP Wolds – opened in 1992. Some argue that the involvement of the private sector has created a diverse market, driving up standards and promoting efficiencies, while others argue that imprisonment is a function which the state should not delegate and prisons should not be for profit. Debate continues apace.
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Research Briefing
Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill: Lords Amendments
This note gives background on Lords Amendments to the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill, which are due to be considered by the Commons on 4 February 2014.
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Research Briefing
Public procurement: small businesses and savings
This archived note briefly discussed public procurement with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises and savings. It has been superseded by SN6029 (Public Procurement).
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Research Briefing
LIBOR, Public Inquiries & FSA/FCA Disciplinary Powers
This note summarises some of the key points relating to the LIBOR scandal. It looks at issues surrounding public inquiries and at the role and limitations of the FSA’s disciplinary powers.
Total results (page 313 of 559)