-
-
Research Briefing
Energy Bill. Bill 7 2009-10.
The Bill would introduce: a carbon capture and storage incentive to support the construction of up to four UK demonstration projects, to be chosen in a competition; mandatory social price support to lower energy bills (social tariffs) for the most vulnerable, which would replace the current voluntary agreement which expires in 2011. It would also add ensuring security of supply and protecting consumers to the objectives of the regulator, Ofgem; increase the regulator’s powers to deal with exploitation of electricity distribution constraints by generators; and increase Ofgem’s power to fine companies. It would give the Secretary of State the power to ban cross-subsidy between gas and electricity accounts.
-
Research Briefing
Child Poverty Bill: Committee Stage Report. Bill 10 2009-10.
The Bill fulfils the Government’s commitment made in September 2008 to enshrine the 2020 child poverty target in legislation. It establishes four separate child poverty targets to be met by 2020/21, requires the UK Government to publish a regular UK child poverty strategy, requires the Scottish and Northern Irish Ministers to publish child poverty strategies, establishes a Child Poverty Commission to provide advice, requires the UK Government to publish annual progress reports, and places new duties on local authorities and other “delivery partners”’ in England to work together to tackle child poverty.
-
Research Briefing
Indicators of hospital performance published by the Care Quality Commission and Dr. Foster Research
This note examines measures of hospital standards and patient safety published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Dr. Foster Research Limited and critically appraises the methodology underpinning their assessments. Concerns have been raised about the lack of consistency between the CQC and Dr. Foster ratings; in the final section, a comparison is made between the two, and some explanations for the discrepancies are offered.
-
-
Research Briefing
Economic indicators, December 2009
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major countries. [Article: Making sense of monthly public sector borrowing statistics]
-
-
Research Briefing
Financial Services Bill. Bill 6 2009-10.
This is the third piece of financial services legislation since 2007 to respond to the banking and financial crisis. It does however, include other measures designed to improve the position of financial services customers. It creates a Council for Financial Stability to co-ordinate the responsibilities and action of the Bank, FSA and Treasury with respect to financial stability matters. It enhances and extends the powers of the FSA and gives it new duties. Lastly, amongst other consumer protection measures, it provides for collective consumer legal action to be taken in cases of multiple claimants against financial companies. The Bill applies to the whole of the UK.
-
-
Research Briefing
The Governance of Britain Green Paper and Citizens’ Assemblies
This paper sets out the proposals for citizen engagement in constitutional reform made by the Government in the Governance of Britain Green Paper and subsequent announcements.
-
Research Briefing
Home Office legislation since the 1997 general election
Home Office legislation since the 1997 general election. By John Woodhouse. SN/HA/3352.
-
Research Briefing
Climate change levy
The climate change levy was introduced in April 2001, charged on electricity, gas, liquefied petroleum gas and solid fuels, when supplied to business. This note gives a short history of the levy, and the impact it has had in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
-
-
Research Briefing
The Lisbon Treaty: choosing a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
This Note looks at the role of the new High Representative for EU foreign affairs and security policy, the method of appointment and possible candidates for the job. It does not consider the new European External Action Service.
-
Research Briefing
By elections since 2005
This note sets out results of by elections since the 2005 General Election.
Total results (page 410 of 558)