• Research Briefing

    In brief: the Commonwealth Charter

    On 11 March 2013 in London the Queen signed the Commonwealth Charter. However, while the UK Government has welcomed it, there has been considerable criticism of the Charter on the grounds that it is not legally binding and cannot be effectively enforced. In September 2012 three Commonwealth Nobel Laureates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nadine Gordimer and Wole Soyinka had said that a weak and ineffective Charter should not be endorsed. LGBT rights campaigners have also been vocal in signalling disappointment with the final text.

  • Research Briefing

    EU Consumer Rights Directive

    This note provides a summary of the background to the CRD and an outline of its main provisions. It also considers how the Directive will be implemented in the UK and its implication for existing legislation. Detailed information on the Government’s proposal for a new Consumer Bill of Rights is provided in a separate Library note, SN/HA/6588 dated 21 March 2013.

  • Research Briefing

    The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands: tension between Japan and China in the East China Sea

    Tensions between Japan and China in connection with long-standing rival claims to sovereignty over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea have deepened since September 2012, with nationalist sentiment being stirred up in both countries. Taiwan also claims the islands. Japan, which administers the islands, does not accept that there is a dispute to be resolved. China insists that there is. This note briefly summarizes the competing claims and reviews developments over the last six months or so.

  • Research Briefing

    Defence Estate Rationalisation

    This note provides a summary of the main changes to the defence estate that have been announced since the Army basing review was published in March 2013. Further decisions on aspects of the defence estate, including the training estate and the Reserves estate are expected to be made over the course of 2013. This note will be updated as and when those plans are announced.

  • Research Briefing

    Roads: speed cameras

    This note outlines the legislative basis for speed cameras, the types of cameras in use and includes information on their funding. It also discusses issues surrounding their efficacy.

  • Research Briefing

    Heating oil and other off-gas grid heating

    This note sets out the regulation of the off-gas grid energy market, and possible sources of support for those who live off the gas grid and have to rely on other fuels such as heating oil or LPG to heat their homes.

  • Research Briefing

    The duty of the police to enforce the law

    There is case law to suggest that, although under a general duty to uphold the law, chief officers of police retain discretion as to the degree of effort they will attach to enforcing any particular law at any particular time.

  • Research Briefing

    Direct taxes: rates and allowances 2013/14

    This paper sets out the main changes to direct tax rates and allowances announced in the Budget on 20 March 2013. It lists the principal personal allowances which will be available against income tax in the tax year 2013/14, and it outlines the conditions necessary for eligibility for these allowances.

  • Research Briefing

    Council Tax 2013/14

    The average council tax for a band D household in 2013/14 is: £1,456 in England; £1,226 in Wales; and, £1,149 in Scotland. The average council tax for a band D household will rise by 0.8% in England and 3.2% in Wales. Council tax levels have been frozen in Scotland.

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