Research Briefing
Government support to exporters – in brief
An overview of the work of UK Export Finance (UKEF) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), and a summary of recent policy developments.
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Research Briefing
Nuclear energy statistics
The UK had the first civilian nuclear power station in the world and increased its nuclear output for most of the latter half of the twentieth century. The last nuclear power station to be built in the UK started operating in 1995. Since then output has fallen as some older power stations have been decommissioned. The UK now has among the lowest share of generation from nuclear of all countries with nuclear power. Some aging nuclear power stations have had their operating life extended, but the majority are due to close over the next decade. No new nuclear capacity is due to come online until around 2020. One consequence of being a pioneer of civil nuclear power is large ongoing financial liability for decommissioning old power stations and managing nuclear waste.
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Research Briefing
The reform of the Postal Services 1997-2011
The note summarises the last Labour Government’s policies on postal services before outlining the main provisions in the Postal Services Act 2011 that was bought in by the Coalition Government. Subsequent developments are set out in two further Standard Notes on Privatisation of the Royal Mail (SN/EP/06668) and on the Post Office: recent developments (SN/EP/06718).
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Research Briefing
US Government and Congress Response to Syria
A look at the political situation in the US after President Obama's surprise decision to seek Congressional authorisation on Syria.
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Research Briefing
VAT : Budget 2012 changes to loopholes and anomalies
In Budget 2012 the Government announced the removal of a number of 'loopholes and anomalies' in the coverage of VAT - affecting self-storage facilities, approved alterations to listed buildings, catering & hot takeaway food, sports drinks, holiday caravans and the rental of hairdressers' chairs. This note gives details of the changes, which, for the most part, took effect from 1 October 2012.
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Research Briefing
VAT : the new 20% standard rate
In his Budget statement on 22 June 2010, the Chancellor, George Osborne, announced that the standard rate of VAT would rise from 17.5% to 20% from 4 January 2011. This note looks at the background to this announcement, and the reaction there has been to date.
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Research Briefing
Economic Indicators, September 2013
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: 'Getting real about earnings' and 'Safe as houses? The UK housing market since 2007.'
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Research Briefing
Northern Ireland: Political Developments since 1972
Northern Ireland: political developments since 1972. House of Commons Library Research Paper 98/57.
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Research Briefing
Bereavement benefits
Information on the current system of bereavement benefits (Bereavement Payment, Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent’s Allowance) and on the Government's proposals for a new Bereavement Support Payment.
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Research Briefing
Conditions for using force in humanitarian intervention
Could the Government’s legal position on intervention in Syria contribute to setting a new precedent?
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Research Briefing
Officers of Parliament: recent developments
This Standard Note updates Research Paper 03/77 Officers of Parliament: A Comparative Perspective, in respect of developments at the UK level.
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Total results (page 323 of 560)