Research Briefing
In 2011 the ratio of lower quartile house price to lower quartile earnings in England was 6.5. The highest ratios are found in London (9.0), the South East (8.2) and the South West (7.8).
Research Briefing
The Library is often asked how the purchasing power of the pound has changed over various periods. This Paper provides a composite index of prices from 1750 to 2011.
Research Briefing
The Government indicates that the Defamation Bill is designed to reform the law of defamation to ensure that a fair balance is struck between the right to freedom of expression and the protection of reputation. Proposals to reform the defamation laws have a long history and bids to change the law have been somewhat contentious. Currently, defamation is governed substantially by the common law. Statutory intervention has been infrequent and the last Act exclusively concerned with defamation was passed in 1996. The Government committed to reform the defamation law in its Coalition Agreement. A draft Bill was published in March 2011 and subject to extensive pre-legislative scrutiny. The Government also conducted a separate consultation on the draft Bill. The Defamation Bill extends to England and Wales only. Second Reading is expected to take place on 12 June 2012.
Research Briefing
Greece’s long-standing public debt problem became a crisis at the start of 2010 and has since escalated to a point where it threatens the survival of the euro. This note describes the country's May 2010 and February 2012 bail-out agreements, the results of the May 2012 elections, future prospects, and implications of euro exit
Research Briefing
This note looks at the Treaty base for EMU and some of the informal suggestions as to how Greece might legally leave the euro and/or the EU.
Research Briefing
This note provides a brief introduction to UK consumer protection law. Most importantly, it refers to sources of information that may be helpful to Members’ staff when dealing with straightforward questions.
Research Briefing
The aviation sector has been included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme from 1 January 2012 as part of EU efforts to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020.
Research Briefing
Egyptians vote on 23 and 24 May to elect a new president. If no candidate wins 50%, a second round will be held on 16 and 17 June. There are signs, however, of a looming crisis over the division of power and the role of the military.
Research Briefing
The 2012 Queen’s Speech announced that "My Government will propose reform of the electricity market to deliver secure, clean and affordable electricity and ensure prices are fair”. This will be done through the latest in a line of Energy Bills, published in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny on 22 May 2012.
Research Briefing
This note explains the civil recovery scheme designed to prevent criminals profiting from accounts of their crimes (for example in an autobiography or television or newspaper interviews). It also looks at the rules preventing serving prisoners from publishing such information and at the relevant media codes of practice.
Research Briefing
This note discusses the effects of the Ofcom ban on junk food advertising aimed at children and future policy options
Research Briefing
The Labour Government introduced a number of reforms to the legal remedies for victims of domestic violence, and introduced a number of non-legislative measures. This note examines the development of Labour policy in this area.
Research Briefing
Elections for the Mayor of London and London Assembly were held on 3 May 2012. The Conservative candidate Boris Johnson was re-elected as Mayor, winning 44% of first preference votes. Labour won 12 of the 25 London Assembly seats to become the largest party in the Assembly.
Research Briefing
This Research Paper reviews changes in Members' pay and allowances/expenses since 2009.
Total results (page 351 of 559)