Research Briefing
This note briefly describes the Wreck Removal Convention Bill 2010-11; a Private Members' Bill sponsored by Dr Thérèse Coffey MP. The Bill provides measures to enable the United Kingdom to ratify and implement the International Convention for the Removal of Wrecks. It would insert new sections and a Schedule into the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Research Briefing
This paper presents labour market data for Parliamentary Constituencies. A summary of the latest national and regional labour market data is given, along with a selection of relevant constituency-level indicators including the latest Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimant count data.JSA claimant count unemployment decreased by 10,200 in February 2011 to 1.45 million The wider ILO measure of unemployment rose to 2.53 million in the period November-January 2011, the highest level since 1994. Employment in the public sector fell by 45,000 over the last quarter to 6.2 million (December 2010), while employment in the private sector rose by 77,000 to 23.0 million. This was made up of a 56,000 increase in the number of people aged 65 and over in employment, while for all other age groups (ages 16-64) employment fell by 24,000.This edition of Unemployment by Constituency contains a special section on job vacancy statistics.
Research Briefing
This Note looks at amendments adopted in the Committee of the Whole House concerning the European Union Bill 2010-11.
Research Briefing
The Bill establishes the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on a statutory basis, following its creation after the general election of 2010. It also requires the Treasury to publish a Charter for Budget Responsibility setting out its approach to fiscal policy. The Bill would also confirm a new corporate governance structure for the National Audit Office, under a new paid post of Chair, who would develop a joint strategy with the Comptroller and Auditor General. This Research Paper covers the Bill's House of Commons Committee Stage.
Research Briefing
The EC Working Time Directive (93/104/EC of 23 November 1993), was implemented in the UK by the Working Time Regulations 1998, SI No.1833 with effect from 1 October 1998. The Working Time Directive was subject to proposals for further amendment in Europe. The proposals were considered under the codecision procedure. The European Parliament and Council could not reach agreement on the draft directive, and no compromise could be reached in conciliation. The proposal now lapses and the current directive remains in force. This Note brings together documents relevant to legislation and draft directives on the application of Working Time rules.
Research Briefing
Egypt's revolt has been greeted as a historic moment that will have enormous consequences throughout the Arab world. This note provides a simple chronological account of events swince 25 January. It looks a the background to the crisis and profiles groups and individuals involved and considers some likely outcomes of the present crisis.
Research Briefing
The Welfare Reform Bill provides for the introduction of a 'Universal Credit' to replace a range of existing means-tested benefits and tax credits for people of working age, starting from 2013. The Bill follows the November 2010 White Paper, Universal Credit: welfare that works, which set out the Government’s proposals for reforming welfare to improve work incentives, simplify the benefits system and tackle administrative complexity.
Research Briefing
On 3 March 2011 a referendum was held in Wales to decide whether the National Assembly for Wales should gain the power to legislate on a wider range of matters in one go. This was in contrast to the previous situation, in which it had to gain approval from the UK Parliament each time it wanted to expand the range of matters. This note gives an account of the referendum campaign and vote, and the implications of this in constitutional terms
Research Briefing
This note outlines the history of Parliamentary representation in the Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency
Research Briefing
This paper has been prepared for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons. For information on the provision in the Bill relating to the introduction of Universal Credit, please see the complementary Library Research Paper, 11/24. Besides Universal Credit, the Bill proposes a number of other significant welfare reforms, including replacement of the current Disability Living Allowance, restriction of Housing Benefit entitlement to social housing tenants whose accommodation is larger than they need, time-limiting the payment of contributory Employment and Support Allowance to twelve months, and capping the total amount of benefit that can be claimed.
Research Briefing
The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act contains measures to set the number of UK parliamentary constituencies at 600 and to limit the permitted variation in the number of registered electors for a constituency. This note considers the possible impact by region of the proposals in the Bill and compares the sizes of constituency electorates at 1 December 2010. It looks at the variation in electorate sizes about national and regional means and about the UK Electoral Quota as defined in the Act.
Research Briefing
This note covers the EU ban on the import of illegal timber and proposals for UK legislation.
Research Briefing
This is one of a series of notes which looks at actual or proposed reforms of either certain parts of the financial services sector or reforms of certain activities. The entire sector has received worldwide attention from regulators, governments, consumer and intra-industry and professional groups following the financial crisis which began in 2007. Whilst the 'rescue and recovery' phase of the crisis is (mainly) past, and the consultation and consideration phase nearing its climax, the legislative phase is still to come. This note looks at the arguments surrounding commodity speculation and its impact on the real world of commodity prices. A growing number of economic commentators and charity groups have highlighted what they see as a link between growing and ever more sophisticated forms of financial speculation (distinct from the traditional, real, commodity trading and hedging activities) and the volatility of food and other commodity prices. The statistical evidence from various surveys presents a more mixed picture on the links between speculation and price increases. Financial speculation does appear to make commodity prices more volatile but does not provide much of an explanation for the specific movement of individual prices in the short term. Regulators have their own concerns over the methods used by traders and dealers. Most trades are carried out using derivative swap instruments outside of the more open, transparent regulated exchanges. The note outlines what measures are being promoted to improve the regulation of the financial markets involved with these matters.
Research Briefing
This note provides background information about the Government's review of key counter-terrorism and security powers, which was announced by the Government on 13 July 2010.
Research Briefing
This note details the sometimes controversial dealings between the UK government and the regime of Muammer Qaddafi and looks at the reasons for Libya's partial rehabilitation by the west, in which the UK was closely involved.
Total results (page 379 of 558)