• Research Briefing

    Prisoners: Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme

    In November 2013, the National Offender Management Service revised the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme for prisoners. The changes have been controversial, particularly in relation to prisoners’ ability to have steel-stringed guitars or to receive books sent from outside prison. It was reported on 29 July 2014 that, in response to feedback from prison governors, the ban on steel-stringed guitars had been reversed, although the ban on receiving books would remain.

  • Research Briefing

    Local election petitions

    A local election petition has been brought following the elections on 22 May 2014 in Tower Hamlets seeking to have the election of the mayor, Lutfur Rahman, declared void. This note gives details of the different electoral offences and the procedure for bringing a local election petition. It also gives brief details of previous allegations of electoral abuse in Tower Hamlets.

  • Research Briefing

    Stamp prices

    This note sets out the regulatory framework governing stamp prices used by Royal Mail. It sets out the current position on stamp prices and then includes some comparative and historical information on stamp prices.

  • Research Briefing

    Energy Storage R&D

    There is a widely held view that electricity storage has a role to play in the future of energy, helping to integrate increasing levels of renewable generation into the UK generation mix

  • Research Briefing

    GDP: a brief guide

    The first estimate of GDP growth for the second quarter of 2014 will be released tomorrow morning and will generate plenty of news coverage, analysis and comment. To provide a little context, we explain what GDP is and how it is measured.

  • Research Briefing

    Carbon capture and storage

    Carbon capture and storage (CCS) generation is not yet proven on a large scale, and nor is storage long-term, despite a series of UK Government and EU initiatives aimed at incentivising its development. In March 2013 Peterhead (Aberdeenshire) and the White Rose Project (Yorkshire) were named as the two preferred bidders in the latest UK CCS Commercialisation Programme Competition.

  • Research Briefing

    Election addresses

    This note looks briefly at the current provisions covering the free postage of election addresses and the decision to make the election addresses of the candidates for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in 2012 available on a central website instead of mailing them to households. Turnout at the PCC elections averaged 14.7% across all police areas. Following the death of the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands a by-election is to be held on 21 August 2014. The Government has published a draft Order to allow booklets containing the candidates’ election addresses to be delivered to homes in the West Midlands.

  • Research Briefing

    Syrian refugees in Jordan

    Enormous numbers of Syrians have taken refuge in Jordan, putting strain on the small country’s resources. The House of Commons International Development Committee visited recently and voiced concern about Jordan’s political stability.

  • Research Briefing

    Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit for children resident in other EEA countries

    Domestic legislation provides that both Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit cannot normally be paid in respect of children resident abroad. However, under provisions in EU law on social security coordination within the European Economic Area (EEA), Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit may be payable to EEA migrants in the United Kingdom in respect of their dependent children resident in another Member State.

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