Research Briefing Archives

Research Briefing

The National Insurance Contributions Bill 2014-15: Parliamentary scrutiny

Wednesday, 11 February, 2015

The National Insurance Contributions Bill 2014-15 would allow for both categories of National Insurance contributions (NICs) which are payable by the self-employed – Class 2 and Class 4 – to be collected through self assessment from April 2016. The Bill would also extend existing tax rules regarding ‘accelerated payments’ and ‘high-risk’ tax promoters to NICs, and introduce a Targeted Anti-Avoidance Rule to prevent the avoidance of NICs by ‘intermediaires’.
Research Briefing

Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill 2014-15: Parliamentary stages

Wednesday, 11 February, 2015

This Bill is now awaiting royal assent. This Note examines parliamentary scrutiny of the Bill. There have been a number of Government amendments detailed in the Note.
- Research Briefing
- Security
Research Briefing

Compulsory voting

Tuesday, 10 February, 2015

This Note examines the arguments for and against legislation to require voters to cast their votes and whether it is a citizen's duty, as well as a right, to vote.
- Research Briefing
- Elections
Research Briefing

International help for the government of Ukraine

Monday, 09 February, 2015

Violence has been increasing in eastern Ukraine, leading to calls for the West to arm the Ukrainian government. But Ukraine is also close to financial meltdown.
Research Briefing

Employers’ duties to prevent illegal working

Monday, 09 February, 2015

Members of Parliament sometimes receive enquiries from constituents about employers’ duties to conduct ‘right to work’ checks. This note provides an overview of the relevant legislation and Home Office policy guidance, and recent scrutiny of enforcement action taken by the Home Office against illegal employment.
Research Briefing

Prime Minister’s Questions

Monday, 09 February, 2015

This note outlines the procedures for the tabling of questions for and answering of questions at Prime Minister's Question Time. It also reviews the history of the Prime Minister facing questions in the Chamber of the House of Commons, the changes to Prime Minister's Questions, and the current situation.
Research Briefing

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Friday, 06 February, 2015

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will be the new multirole fast jet for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It will serve as the strike capability for the new Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier and will partner the Typhoon to form the future fast jet fleet for the RAF. There are three variants of the Joint Strike Fighter. The Government attracted criticism for its decision in 2010 to select a different variant to that originally chosen by the previous Government, and again for reverting back to the original choice two years later.
- Research Briefing
- Defence equipment and spending
Research Briefing

Further devolution of powers to Scotland: Universal Credit housing element and payment arrangements

Friday, 06 February, 2015

This note explains the Smith Commission’s proposals and the Draft Scotland Clauses in relation to Universal Credit (UC), including the housing costs element (currently Housing Benefit). As it stands, UC will remain a reserved benefit but the Scottish Parliament would be given the power to vary the housing costs element of UC, and powers to vary the manner and frequency of UC payments.
Research Briefing

Economic Indicators, February 2015

Tuesday, 03 February, 2015

This paper features analysis of the latest UK and international economic indicators.
Research Briefing

Smoking: standardised packaging and smoking rates in England

Tuesday, 03 February, 2015

The Government announced on 21 January 2015 that they will bring forward legislation on standardised packaging on tobacco products. The intention, subject to the agreement of Parliament, is that the Regulations be made before Parliament dissolves for the election. This follows a 2012 public consultation, an independent public health review and a further consultation on
- Research Briefing
- Health services
Research Briefing

Firefighters pension schemes – current reforms

Tuesday, 03 February, 2015

Looks at the current debate on reforms to firefighters' pensions
Research Briefing

Full employment: what is it and can it happen?

Monday, 02 February, 2015

At the start of this year Prime Minister David Cameron set a goal of full employment. But what is full employment and how is it measured? Whilst a literal interpretation would imply everyone having a job, actual measures of full employment normally refer to a level of employment or unemployment, where those looking for work
- Research Briefing
- Economic policy
Research Briefing

Banking Crises: lessons from Sweden and Norway

Monday, 02 February, 2015

This note brings together narratives of two banking crises in Sweden and Norway in the early 1990s and describes the remedial action taken by central governments.
- Research Briefing
- Finance
Research Briefing

EU obligations: UK implementing legislation since 1993

Saturday, 31 January, 2015

How much UK law implements EU obligations? This is virtually impossible to answer accurately, but approximate calculations can be made using law databases.
Research Briefing

Evidence under oath, perjury and parliamentary privilege

Thursday, 29 January, 2015

The issue of select committee powers has received renewed interest during the 2010-15 Parliament, culminating in a report from Liaison Committee on Select committee effectiveness, resources and powers (in October 2012); and, subsequently, a report by the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege in July 2013 (and a Government response later that year). Although parliamentary select
- Research Briefing
- Parliament

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