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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for information sharing in connection with passport applications and determinations as to whether passports should be withdrawn.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.
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Research Briefing
Equitable Life (Payments) Bill [Bill 62 of 2010-11]
This paper has been written for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons. The Bill provides the authority for a payments scheme for eligible former and current Equitable Life policyholders in respect of the consequences of maladministration by regulatory bodies as identified by the Ombudsman and accepted by government. The paper outlines the commercial problems of Equitable Life; the series of investigations into the regulation of its activities; and the work of the office of Sir John Chadwick in devising principles for designing a workable system of payments. The Bill is a short, simple and technical measure. Although the precise shape of the payments scheme is as yet unknown, this Bill provides the authority for money to be paid once it is set up and clarifies the tax treatment of future payments.
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Research Briefing
Keydata Investment Services in administration
Keydata Investment Services was placed into administration by the Financial Services Authority in June 2009. The administrators, PricewaterhouseCoopers, found a number of serious issues at the company, one of which was that many products sold as ISAs were in fact ineligible for tax-free saving status. More seriously, they subsequently found that income on certain investment products had not been paid in recent months, and, in the case of one type of investment, they had been unable to satisfy themselves as to the safe custody of the underlying assets", and suggested that "the assets have been liquidated and may have been misappropriated".
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Research Briefing
Local elections 2011
Elections are due on Thursday 5 May 2011 in 279 English local authorities. Elections will also be held on the same day to the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly. Scottish Council elections due in 2011 have been deferred until 2012 (and next in 2017 before returning to a 4-year cycle). In Northern Ireland, elections to the existing 26 local councils are also due to be held on 5 May 2011
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Research Briefing
Unemployment by constituency, August 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 (for July 2010).
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Research Briefing
Unemployment by Constituency: changes to working-age rates
From August 2010, the ONS has switched from using the 'working-age' population to using the whole population aged 16 to 64 as the basis upon which a variety of headline labour market statistical indicators are presented. This note provides details on the change and looks at its effect on the Library's JSA claimant rate.
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Research Briefing
Transport Innovation Fund (TIF), 2005-2010
This note outlines what the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) was, from its inception in 2005 to its demise in 2010.
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Research Briefing
Australian election 2010
A general election has been called for 21 August 2010. This note gives background, and looks at the fall of Kevin Rudd and the campaign.
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Research Briefing
Railways: Railtrack administration and the private shareholders, 2001-2005
This Note provides information about Railtrack and the Railway Administration Order Rules 2001. The last sections explain the position of the shareholders and the court case some of the private shareholders brought against the Government in July 2005.
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Research Briefing
The Gaza flotilla attack and its aftermath
Summary of the attack on the flotilla, arguments surrounding its legality, the Israeli investigations into the raid and its political outcome
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Research Briefing
By-elections 2005 – 2010
This research paper provides the results of the 14 by-elections held during the 2005-10 Parliament.
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Research Briefing
Economic Indicators, August 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 'Analysing the recent recession' and 'UK aid budget: under pressure?'. [Articles: 'Analysing the recent recession' and 'UK aid budget: under pressure?']
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Research Briefing
Anti-social Behaviour Orders
The Home Secretary Theresa May criticised ASBOs in a speech in July 2010. Her criticisms were rejected by former Labour Home Secretaries. ASBOs were introduced by the Crime and Disorder Act 1988. Their use was slow to start with, but peaked in 2005 before declining again. Some commentators argue that authorities are using alternative remedies. Evaluations have highlighted the relatively high breach rate, but also their role in deterring anti-social behaviour. Publication of a Home Office review is awaited.
Total results (page 395 of 562)