• Research Briefing

    Unemployment by constituency, September 2010

    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.

  • Research Briefing

    Economic Indicators, September 2010

    This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. This issue includes articles entitled 'The North-South divide' and 'Comparing UK Unemployment Internationally'. [Articles: 'The North-South divide' and 'Comparing UK Unemployment Internationally']

  • Research Briefing

    Private prosecutions

    This note provides an overview of the right of a private individual to bring a criminal prosecution. It also outlines some of the procedural safeguards to prevent misuse of this right, including the need to obtain consent to prosecute certain offences and the ability of the Director of Public Prosecutions to take over private prosecutions. It includes a discussion of recent attempts to bring private prosecutions in respect of alleged war crimes.

  • Research Briefing

    The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill [Bill 63 of 2010-11]

    This Paper has been prepared for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons. The Bill seeks to enable the next general election to be fought under the Alternative Vote system, provided this change is endorsed in a referendum on 5 May 2011 and boundary changes have been made to reduce the size of the House of Commons to 600. New rules for the redistribution of seats are designed to give primacy to numerical equality in constituencies and regular redistributions would take place every five years.

  • Research Briefing

    Superannuation Bill [Bill No 58 of 2010-11]

    This Paper has been written for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons. Clause 1 of the Bill would cap compensation payable under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme at a maximum of 12 months’ pay for compulsory redundancy and 15 months’ for voluntary exits. Clause 2 provides for clause 1 to expire after 12 months, unless repealed, extended or revived using order-making powers. The Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government has invited the civil service unions to negotiate a “sustainable and practical long term successor scheme”.

  • Research Briefing

    Fixed-term Parliaments Bill [Bill 64 of 2010-11]

    The Fixed-term Parliaments Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 22 July 2010. The proposals are part of the Coalition Agreement between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, agreed after the May 2010 General Election. The Bill fixes the date of the next General Election at 7 May 2015, and provides five year fixed-terms. There are provisions to allow the Prime Minister to alter the date by Order by up to two months. There are also two ways in which an election could be triggered before the five year term: if a motion of no confidence is passed and no alternative government is found within 14 days; or a motion for an early General Election is agreed either by at least two-thirds of the House or without division.

  • Research Briefing

    Financial Support for Members of the House of Lords

    In November 2009 the Review Body on Senior Salaries (SSRB) published its Review of Financial Support for Members of the House of Lords. This note sets out the expense allowance system as it currently operates, the background to the 2009 SSRB report, and its recommendations. It then sets out the changes made so far to the system.

  • Research Briefing

    Identity Documents Bill: Committee Stage Report

    This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Bill. It complements Research Paper 10/41, prepared for the Commons Second Reading. The Bill would abolish identity cards and delete the associated data from the National Identity Register. Existing ID card holders would not be compensated for the £30 paid – one of the issues that has attracted significant debate. The Bill would also retain measures to combat the production and possession of false identity documentation and allow for information sharing in connection with passport applications and determinations as to whether passports should be withdrawn. No amendments were made to the Bill during the Committee Stage.

Total results (page 392 of 560)