Research Briefing
Aviation: Concorde
This note describes the political and economic agreement between Britain and France to build and operate Concorde. It does not cover the technology.
-
-
Research Briefing
The establishment of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
This note briefly describes the background to the decision to create the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) and a Commissioner for Parliamentary Investigations. It then outlines the functions given to IPSA and to the Commissioner for Parliamentary Investigations by the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009. It also sets out the steps taken in establishing IPSA, including the appointment of the Speaker's Committee and the Chair of IPSA, Sir Ian Kennedy.
-
Research Briefing
Identity Documents Bill, Bill 1 of 2010-11
The Bill’s central purpose is to abolish identity cards and the National Identity Register, but there are no provisions for refunding existing card-holders. The Bill retains provisions included in the Identity Cards Act 2006 that proscribe the possession or making of false identity documents other than ID cards – such as passports and driving licences. Immigration ID cards for foreign nationals are untouched by the measures.
-
Research Briefing
The Commission on Scottish Devolution – “the Calman Commission”
This note gives some the background on the Commission on Scottish Devolution, chaired by Professor Sir Kenneth Calman.
-
Research Briefing
Capital gains tax : the 2008 reforms
In the 2008 Budget the Labour Government introduced a major reform to capital gains tax, introducing a new single rate of tax set at 18%, and withdrawing 'taper relief', which had been designed to encourage longer-term investment in business assets. This note examines the background to this reform.
-
Research Briefing
Sudan: Peace or war, unity or secession?
This paper considers the current political situation in Sudan, including the impact of the April 2010 elections in which Omar al-Bashir was re-elected as national President. The prospects for Sudan over the coming year are examined, with particular reference to the two referendums to be held in January 2011, required under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and the recent resurgence of the conflict in Darfur.
-
Research Briefing
Capital gains tax : background history
Capital gains tax (CGT) was first introduced in 1965 on gains made on the disposal of assets by individuals, personal representatives and trustees. This note provides a short history of the tax up to 2007.
-
Research Briefing
Fixed term parliaments- early dissolution arrangements
This Note is intended to be a companion to Library Standard Note 831 Fixed Term Parliaments. It explains how fixed term parliaments operate in a number of other advanced democracies, both parliamentary and presidential.
-
Research Briefing
Economic indicators, June 2010
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. [Article: 'Is the recent rise in inflation temporary?' and 'Household income and poverty in 2008/09']
-
Research Briefing
Sudan, 2003-09
In order to make sense of Sudan's present and possible futures, it is vital to know something of its recent past. This is the purpose of this Standard Note, which provides a detailed account of events in Sudan, including their regional impact, between 2003 and 2009. It will not be updated.
-
Research Briefing
Aviation: disruptive passengers
There are a number of offences that can be committed by aircraft passengers under the Air Navigation Order 2009, such as: entering an aircraft while drunk; being drunk on an aircraft; using threatening language or engaging in threatening behaviour; interfering with an aircraft or its crew; endangering an aircraft; and refusing to obey an order from the aircraft commander. Various penalties are available for these offences, as set out in the following note.
-
Research Briefing
Changes to 16-19 education funding
This note gives an overview of recent changes to the funding of education and training for 16 -19 year olds. It provides general background and also covers the roles of the new funding agencies, the funding formula used to determine allocations and issues emerging from the transfer of planning and funding responsibilities from the Learning and Skills Council to local authorities.
-
Research Briefing
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) replaced both the War Pensions Scheme and 'attributable' benefits payable under the old Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) for service personnel experiencing ill health, injury or death arising from service-related incidents on or after 6 April 2005. This note outlines the scheme and changes made to it since its introduction.
-
Research Briefing
Coalition statistics
Following the May 2010 elections, the UK has a coalition government for the first time in decades. This note shows that coalitions are an established form of government in western Europe and the UK.
-
Research Briefing
Women in Parliament and public service
Women make up 51% of the population of the UK, but only 22% of MPs are women. This note looks at women in Parliament, Government and other areas of public life.
Total results (page 400 of 561)