Research Briefing

Research Briefing

Press regulation – the debate

Wednesday, 20 June, 2012

Following the discovery of widespread “phone-hacking” by journalists at The News of the World and other British newspapers, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, established in July 2011 a multi-part inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press. Lord Justice Leveson was appointed as Chairman of the Inquiry. The first part (or “module”), which concluded its public hearings on 9 February 2012, concentrated on the relationship between the press and the public. Much of the material quoted in this Library Note comes from the evidence presented to this module (the first of four), but the Note will be updated periodically to take account of evidence presented at later modules.

• Research Briefing
• Press and media

Research Briefing

Agriculture – CAP Reforms

Monday, 18 June, 2012

This note describes the European Commission proposals to amend the Common Agricultural Policy and comments upon it from interested parties.

• Research Briefing
• Farming and fishing

Research Briefing

In Brief: Armed Forces Day 2012

Friday, 15 June, 2012

Armed Forces Day will be held on 30 June 2012.

• Research Briefing
• Armed forces
• Defence
• Defence policy

Research Briefing

Pigs

Monday, 11 June, 2012

This note covers problems faced by pig farmers, partly because of stricter welfare legislation in the UK than elsewhere in the European Union

• Research Briefing
• Animals

Research Briefing

Religious slaughter

Monday, 11 June, 2012

This note deals with the concession allowing religious slaughter of animals without pre-stunning

• Research Briefing
• Animals
• Communities
• Environment
• Farming and fishing

Research Briefing

Credit easing: National Loan Guarantee Scheme and Business Finance Partnership

Monday, 11 June, 2012

This note looks at the short history of credit easing (National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS) for small businesses and the Business Finance Partnership) in the UK and recent evidence from the US.

• Research Briefing
• Economic policy
• Economic situation

Research Briefing

Driving: licences

Thursday, 07 June, 2012

This note explains the law related to driver licensing, including the changes introduced in the UK by virtue of European Directives. There is a separate section on the new licensing regime for HGV drivers, introduced in 2009.

• Research Briefing
• Roads

Research Briefing

Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

Thursday, 07 June, 2012

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill introduces reforms in a number of areas.

• Research Briefing
• Business
• Finance
• Local government
• Parliament
• Planning
• Work and incomes

Research Briefing

Economic Indicators, June 2012

Wednesday, 06 June, 2012

This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries.

• Research Briefing
• Economic situation

Research Briefing

Iran: could there be a compromise?

Friday, 01 June, 2012

For the first time since January 2011, the negotiating group that deals with Iran’s nuclear programme is in talks with Iranian representatives. Whether or not this is a result of increased economic pressure and a growing threat of military action, there has been some speculation that this times the talks may be serious and that there is a prospect of a compromise.

• Research Briefing
• Defence policy
• Middle East

Research Briefing

Anti-social behaviour remedies – an overview

Friday, 01 June, 2012

This note provides only a brief overview of the subject, together with suggested sources. Further information on policy, together with more detailed, specialised notes about particular remedies can be found on the Anti-social Behaviour topic page of the Parliament website.

• Research Briefing
• Crime

Research Briefing

Local Government Pension Scheme: 2008 reforms

Friday, 01 June, 2012

This note looks at reforms introduced to the Local Government Pension Scheme in April 2008. The current debate on further reforms to the scheme is in SN 5823 Local Government Pension Scheme - 2010 onwards

• Research Briefing
• Local government
• Pensions

Research Briefing

In brief: Guinea-Bissau – has the 12 April coup been overturned or rewarded?

Thursday, 31 May, 2012

A 12 April coup has provoked renewed political crisis in the West African state of Guinea Bissau. On 20 May there was an ECOWAS-backed deal under which power was ostensibly returned to civilians, but there is concern about its credibility and legitimacy. The crisis is likely to set-back recent efforts to strengthen Guinea-Bissau’s capacity to combat drug-trafficking and thereby shed its reputation as a ‘narco-state’. In a country where there are regular military coups, no president has completed a full term in office since the mid 1990s.

• Research Briefing
• Africa
• Armed forces
• Institutions

Research Briefing

Bahrain: an update

Wednesday, 30 May, 2012

Despite some progress in Bahrain, most reports suggest that the reform programme has been half-hearted at best. Unrest and reports of abuse continue and some fear an impending crisis.

• Research Briefing
• Middle East

Research Briefing

The “Community Trigger”: The Government’s proposals on Anti-social Behaviour

Wednesday, 30 May, 2012

The Government is proposing to introduce a "Community Trigger" as part of its reforms to the law on anti-social behaviour. This note looks at the proposals, and at some similar sorts of "triggers" which Labour introduced.

• Research Briefing
• Crime