• Research Briefing

    Investigatory Powers Bill

    The Investigatory Powers Bill would overhaul the framework governing the use of surveillance by the intelligence and security agencies and law enforcement to obtain the content of communications and communications data. It follows three important reports published in 2015, all of which concluded that the law in this area is unfit for purpose and in need of reform, and a draft Bill that has been subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny by three parliamentary committees.

  • Research Briefing

    Freedom of Information: changing the law?

    The Independent Commission on Freedom of Information has been reviewing the law on Freedom of Information. Is it fit for purpose? This note looks at the background to the issue, what is proposed and how people have responded.

  • Research Briefing

    National Health Service Bill 2015-16

    The National Health Service Bill 2015-16, also known as the “NHS Reinstatement Bill” is due to have its Second Reading debate on 11 March 2016. It is a Private Members Bill introduced by Caroline Lucas on 1 July 2015. The Bill seeks to make changes to a number of provisions in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the National Health Service Act 2006 and other legislation.

  • Research Briefing

    Privatisation of Royal Mail

    This note sets out the background and recent events concerning the privatisation of Royal Mail. The privatisation of Royal Mail has taken place in three parts – the majority of the company was disposed of in 2013 and the sales of the remaining parts were in June and October 2015.

  • Research Briefing

    The People’s Mujahiddin of Iran (PMOI)

    The People's Mujahiddin of Iran (PMOI) or Mujahiddin e Khalq (MEK) is a group of exiled Iranians opposed to the government of Iran. It is a member of a wider coalition known as the National Council of Resistance in Iran. PMOI/MEK was put on to the Government's list of proscribed terrorist organisations in March 2001. This note describes the proscription of the PMOI in the UK and EU and subsequent removal of the organisation from both the UK and EU proscription lists in June 2008 and January 2009 respectively.

  • Research Briefing

    All-women shortlists

    This note looks at the background to the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 which allowed political parties to draw up all-women shortlists of candidates for elections; and its extension. It gives details of Labour candidates selected through all-women shortlists and methods of positive action used by the main political parties to increase the number of women MPs.

  • Research Briefing

    The £35,000 salary requirement to settle in the UK

    From 6 April 2016, some skilled non-EEA workers with Tier 2 visas will only be eligible to stay in the UK permanently if they are earning at least £35,000. A related e-petition has been uploaded to Parliament’s e-petition website calling for the £35k threshold to be scrapped. Parliament will be debating this petition on Monday 7 March 2016.

  • Research Briefing

    A fool’s errand? Trying to make sense of North Korea

    North Korea has been in the news again since the beginning of the year as a result of its nuclear weapon test in January (its fourth since 2006) and ballistic missile test (disguised as a satellite launch) in February, along with continuing reports of purges of senior regime figures. And yesterday, the UN Security Council

  • Research Briefing

    Commons Library analysis: Policing and Crime Bill 2015-16

    The Policing and Crime Bill 2015-16 has its second reading on 7 March 2016. It includes provisions covering collaboration between police and fire services; reforms to the police complaints and discipline systems; new safeguards for pre-charge bail; powers for police staff and volunteers; and changes to firearms law. This briefing analyses the Bill and the policy background, and provides some relevant comment.

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