Research Briefing Archives

Research Briefing

The African Union, Kenya and the International Criminal Court

Wednesday, 16 October, 2013

At an extraordinary summit of the African Union on 11-12 October 2013, heads of state and government agreed that Kenya should send a letter to the UN Security Council requesting the deferral of the ICC’s ongoing proceedings against the President and Deputy President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, both of whom have been charged with crimes against humanity in the context of the post-election violence during 2007-08. Western governments face an acute dilemma. Until now, they have been strong supporters of the ICC’s work in Kenya. However, in recent years, Kenya has become an active regional player in combating Islamist terrorism and recently suffered a major attack by al-Shabaab on a shopping mall in Nairobi. If the UN Security Council were to defer the proceedings, this would be the first time that this has happened since the Court’s inception.
Research Briefing

Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill: Progress of the Bill

Tuesday, 15 October, 2013

This Note charts the progress of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill through Parliament. It complements Research Paper 13/51 prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
Research Briefing

Nepal’s peace process: towards elections for a new Constituent Assembly

Friday, 11 October, 2013

After 18 months of political uncertainty about the prospects for its apparently endless peace process, Nepal is due to hold elections for a new Constituent Assembly on 19 November. The original Constituent Assembly elected under the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement was dissolved in May 2012 having failed to agree a new Constitution. A break-away Maoist faction and a number of ethnically-based parties have pledged to boycott and disrupt the elections; this could bring them into direct confrontation with the army.
Research Briefing

Nepal’s endless peace process, 2006-12

Friday, 11 October, 2013

This note gives an account of Nepal’s peace process from the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in November 2006 to the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, its mandate unfulfilled, in May 2012. The note will not be updated.
Research Briefing

The Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill: Debate in Parliament

Thursday, 10 October, 2013

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill (Bill 7 of 2013-14) is due to have its report stage on 14 and 15 October 2013. This note sets out the debate so far.
- Research Briefing
- Animals
- Crime
- Criminal law
- Police
- Security
Research Briefing

Economic Indicators, October 2013

Wednesday, 09 October, 2013

This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. This month’s articles: "UK recovery: how strong and how long?" and "Scotland’s currency choices"
Research Briefing

Party funding: background and developments since November 2011

Monday, 07 October, 2013

This note briefly draws together Library material on party funding issues; provides a chronology of Sir Hayden Phillips’ review of party funding; notes the information that the CSPL has published as its inquiry proceeded; notes press coverage the CSPL inquiry generated; and notes developments since the publication of the CSPL report.
- Research Briefing
- Parliament
Research Briefing

Prisoners: transfers to other prisons in England and Wales

Monday, 07 October, 2013

This note looks at how prisoners in England and Wales may request transfers to other prisons or help with visits.
- Research Briefing
- Prisons
Research Briefing

Future Reserves 2020

Thursday, 03 October, 2013

The Ministry of Defence has proposed significant changes to the UK’s Reserve Forces. A White Paper was published in July 2013. This note examines the proposals, why they have been made and reaction to them.
Research Briefing

Railway performance and subsidy statistics

Wednesday, 02 October, 2013

In Q1 2013/14, 93.0% of franchised trains arrived “on time” in Great Britain according to the Public Performance Measure (PPM). In 2012/13 franchise fees received from active Train Operating Companies (TOCs) outweighed subsidies paid, to the tune of £536.8m. This Note provides data and commentary relating to the performance of, and subsidy to, Train Operating Companies.
- Research Briefing
- Rail
Research Briefing

EU bibliographies: Financial services

Wednesday, 02 October, 2013

This reference Note brings together Internet links to; relevant documents, UK and EU scrutiny and overviews of adopted EU legislation and draft EU legislation on financial services and markets.
Research Briefing

Local Audit and Accountability Bill [HL]

Tuesday, 01 October, 2013

The Local Audit and Accountability Bill [HL] would abolish the Audit Commission and replace it with a new audit regime for local authorities, local health bodies and other public bodies covered by the Commission’s remit. The Bill has completed its passage through the House of Lords. This Paper has been prepared to inform the Second Reading of the Bill in the House of Commons.
Research Briefing

Teachers’ Pension Scheme – background

Friday, 20 September, 2013

This note looks at the development of the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
Research Briefing

VAT : the temporary cut in the standard rate

Friday, 20 September, 2013

This note discusses the Labour Government's decision, announced in the Pre-Budget Report on 24 November 2008, to cut the standard rate of VAT from 171/2% to 15%, from 1 December 2008 to 31 December 2009. It goes on to examine the way this tax change was implemented, and the debate there was about its impact.
- Research Briefing
- Tax
Research Briefing

The economic impact of EU membership on the UK

Wednesday, 18 September, 2013

How does membership of the EU affect the UK economy? How does the UK's situation compare with that of Norway or Switzerland? This note looks for the answers.

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