Research Briefing
One of the issues which arises frequently when there is a dispute between the Government and the European Court of Human Rights is the effect of Parliamentary Sovereignty. This is retained in the domestic sphere, since the Human Rights Act 1998 does not grant the UK Courts the power to strike down primary legislation made
Research Briefing
This is a report of the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Childcare Payments Bill. The Bill would introduce a new tax-free childcare scheme to support eligible parents with childcare costs. Under the scheme, the Government would provide 20 per cent support on costs up to £10,000 per year for each child via an online account. The Government would top up any payments made into the account, capped at a maximum Government contribution of £2,000 a year for each child.
Research Briefing
This note provides a brief overview of youth services policy under the Coalition Government. It includes information on funding for youth services.
Research Briefing
Background The West Lothian Question draws attention to the fact that, following devolution, English MPs are unable to vote on matters devolved to Scotland, but Scottish MPs can vote on the same matters with regard to England, as they are still decided in the UK Parliament. This has led for some calls for ‘English votes for
Research Briefing
The Charity Commission’s powers and its role in regulating charities have come under increased scrutiny with some high profile cases and the publication of a number of recent reports. There has been particular criticism of the compliance and enforcement work of the Charity Commission, including its perceived reluctance to use the powers available, its perceived lack of focus on dealing with serious wrongdoing, and its use of its reduced resources. The powers and performance of the Charity Commission have also been considered in the context of combatting extremism and tax avoidance.
Research Briefing
This paper features analysis of the latest UK and international economic indicators.
Research Briefing
The Government has announced that over 24 million people will soon start receiving their first personalised Annual Tax Summary from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which will provide a breakdown of how each person’s annual direct tax bill (income tax and NI contributions) is spent. The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne described the measure
Research Briefing
This article, published in October 2011, provides a summary of the Ministry of Justice statistical updates produced throughout August and September on those brought before the courts, for offences relating to this public disorder. In October 2011 more detailed statistical publications were released relating to the offences committed and offenders prosecuted.
Research Briefing
New students starting higher education in England in 2012 faced higher tuition fees, potentially higher loan interest rates and longer loan durations. The Government has also introducing a new ‘core and margin’ model which introduces an element of competition into the allocation of student numbers between institutions. The impact of these changes on potential students and student numbers is seen as one key test of the success of the Government’s reforms to higher education in England. The number of new fell in 2012 as it did when fees were first introduced and then raised in the past. Any long term change to student numbers would also have important implications for the financial health of the higher education sector and the UK economy.
Research Briefing
Today the House of Commons debates UK drugs policy. This post considers statistics on drug use in England and Wales, looking at data from the 2013/14 Crime Survey for England and Wales. Datasets for Scotland and Northern Ireland are produced separately by the devolved administrations. According to the 2013/14 Crime Survey for England and Wales,
Research Briefing
CAP reform 2014-2020 has been agreed and is now being implemented. This paper sets out stakeholder reaction and key implementation decisions for the four countries of the UK, and also of Ireland. It updates the November 2013 version which was prepared as government consultations on implementation were still on-going.
Research Briefing
The way GDP is measured has changed, with revised figures showing the 2008-2009 recession being slightly less severe than previously thought and the economic recovery stronger.
Research Briefing
This note provides information on the current law and policy on inter-racial adoption.
Research Briefing
This note sets out the background to the policy, how it is expected to work and some possible issues related to its use.
Research Briefing
This note looks at how married women can build state pension entitlement and the option to pay reduced rate National Insurance Contributions until 1977.
Total results (page 370 of 638)