• Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, Budget update

    Recent data show unemployment rose to its highest level since 1994 in the three months to January and CPI inflation increased to 4.4% in February (compared with average earnings growth of 2.3%). Meanwhile, public finance statistics show that for the first 11 months of fiscal year 2010/11 the government borrowed nearly 10% less than in the same period of 2009/10. As a result, full-year borrowing in 2010/11 is likely to be less than the OBR’s November forecast of £149 billion. For more information see the Library’s background briefing to the Budget. Following the Budget an additional Library briefing will be available

  • Research Briefing

    Health and safety

    This note sets out the framework of how the health and safety law operates, with a particular focus on the criminal law established by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

  • Research Briefing

    Wreck Removal Convention Bill 2010-11

    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

    Unemployment by constituency, March 2011

    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

    Budget Responsibility and National Audit [HL] Bill: Committee stage report

    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

    EU bibliographies: working time directives

    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

    Uprising in Egypt

    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

    Welfare Reform Bill: Universal Credit provisions

    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

    Referendum in Wales

    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

    Welfare Reform Bill: reform of disability benefits, Housing Benefit, and other measures

    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.

Total results (page 382 of 561)