Research Briefing

Research Briefing

Political crisis in Bangladesh: January 2015 update

Wednesday, 21 January, 2015

The political scene in Bangladesh remains as turbulent as ever. Flawed elections in January 2014 were boycotted by the main opposition parties, leaving the field clear for the ruling Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina. There has been renewed protest action on the streets to mark the first anniversary of the elections, which has led to increased violence and at least ten deaths. Opposition leader Khaleda Zia was detained in her office for over two weeks by the authorities and faces trial for corruption. This briefing provides an overview of developments in the country since the 2014 elections.

• Research Briefing
• Asia Pacific
• Elections
• Institutions

Research Briefing

The Administration of the House of Commons

Wednesday, 21 January, 2015

On 22 January 2015 the House will debate the report of the House of Governance Committee. This note provides background to the debate and detail on how the House of Commons is governed, managed and structured.

• Research Briefing
• House of Commons

Research Briefing

Insurance Bill [HL]

Tuesday, 20 January, 2015

This is latest in a series of technical legislative measures with the broad remit of updating insurance statute law.

• Research Briefing
• Finance

Research Briefing

Land Registry: (A) proposed changes to the commercial model; and (B) Infrastructure Bill

Tuesday, 20 January, 2015

This note concerns HM Land Registry: section A considers the Government's proposals to change its commercial model from a Trading Fund, and section B provides a brief summary of the relevant proposals in the Infrastructure Bill currently before Parliament and a summary of proceedings during the Second Reading debate and at Committee Stage.

• Research Briefing
• Civil law

Research Briefing

Economic Indicators, January 2015

Tuesday, 20 January, 2015

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

• Research Briefing
• Economic policy
• Economic situation

Research Briefing

Infrastructure Bill: Planning Provisions

Tuesday, 20 January, 2015

The Infrastructure Bill 2014-15 would make changes to the planning system: to change the process of development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects, and to allow certain types of planning conditions to be regarded as discharged if a local planning authority took too long to determine an official application to discharge them. This note sets out these provisions and comment on them in more detail.

• Research Briefing
• Planning

Research Briefing

Nigeria 2015: analysis of election issues and future prospects

Monday, 19 January, 2015

This paper looks at the multiple challenges facing Nigeria as it prepares for presidential and legislative elections on 14 February 2015. These elections will take place amidst an atmosphere of even greater crisis and uncertainty than usual. Boko Haram’s insurgency in the north of the country continues unabated. There are fears that the country might break up if the election aftermath is poorly handled. However, some observers remain remarkably hopeful about Nigeria’s future, predicting that its enormous economic potential is on the verge of being realised at last.

• Research Briefing
• Africa
• Economy
• Elections
• Institutions
• International development
• International trade
• Security

Research Briefing

Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill 2014-15 [Bill 143 2014-15]

Friday, 16 January, 2015

This Note describes the Lords Spiritual (Women) Bill 2014-15 and places it in context

• Research Briefing
• Government
• Parliament

Research Briefing

Regulation of candidates’ campaign expenditure: the long and the short of it…

Wednesday, 14 January, 2015

There are two regulated periods for candidates contesting the UK Parliamentary general election, known as the long campaign and the short campaign. Separate spending limits apply in each of these periods. The long campaign period (technically the period during which the pre-candidacy election expenses are regulated) began on 19 December 2014 and ends on the

• Research Briefing
• Elections

Research Briefing

International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill 2014-15: progress of the bill

Wednesday, 14 January, 2015

This note looks at the debates on the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill 2014-15 since the bill’s introduction. In committee, the bill was amended, changing the requirements about the scrutiny of aid spending. At third reading, the bill was passed by the House of Commons by 146 votes to five.

• Research Briefing
• International development

Research Briefing

Voter Trends in 2014 and lessons for the 2015 General Election

Tuesday, 13 January, 2015

Since 1964, the British Election Study (BES) has been surveying voters at each General Election in an attempt to establish who votes for who and why. The study has evolved over time, yet the central focus on political preferences and values, attitudes towards political engagement, and the socio-demographic characteristics of voters has remained. The BES

• Research Briefing
• Elections
• Voters

Research Briefing

Control of Horses Bill 2014-15

Tuesday, 13 January, 2015

There are proposals to update fly-grazing legislation. This note covers the private Members' bill put forward by Julian Sturdy MP.

• Research Briefing
• Animals
• Crime
• Farming and fishing
• Local government

Research Briefing

US economy: developments since the 2008/2009 recession

Tuesday, 13 January, 2015

US economic recovery from the 2008/2009 recession has been steady as annual GDP growth averaged 2.2% between 2010 and 2013. Unemployment has been falling but the proportion of working age adults in employment remains low by historical standards. Interest rates are near 0% and the Federal Reserve has bought $4 trillion in assets to try and boost the economy. Large budget deficits have seen fiscal policy become a key political battleground, although the deficit has fallen in recent years.

• Research Briefing
• Economic policy
• Economic situation
• Economy

Research Briefing

Sex and relationships education in schools

Monday, 12 January, 2015

What children should be taught about sex and relationships, by whom and when, is a matter of persistent political debate. There are currently two Private Member’s Bills before Parliament on the subject, as well as an Education Committee inquiry in progress. The matter was raised during the passage of the recent Children and Families Act

• Research Briefing
• Schools

Research Briefing

House of Lords Reform – developments in the 2010 Parliament

Monday, 12 January, 2015

Since the Government’s decision in the summer of 2012 to withdraw the House of Lords Reform Bill 2012-13, it has supported provisions in the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 to allow members of the House of Lords to resign, and to require those who do not attend and those convicted of serious offences to cease to be members.

• Research Briefing
• Parliament