Research Briefing

Research Briefing

Equality Bill : Committee stage report

Thursday, 12 November, 2009

Legislation to outlaw discrimination has existed for over 40 years. Typically, new Acts have had as their focus one area of policy, for example, pay, equal treatment of women, race discrimination etc. Almost inevitably, the body of current law, introduced piece meal over such a long period, has developed inconsistencies of both content and approach. As well as introducing new requirements one of the main aims of this Bill is to harmonise existing law into a more coherent whole.

• Research Briefing
• Equality
• Work and incomes

Research Briefing

The Lisbon Treaty: choosing a President of the European Council

Thursday, 12 November, 2009

Now that all 27 Member States have ratified the Lisbon Treaty, the Swedish EU Presidency is holding an extraordinary meeting on 19 November 2009 to decide on the post-holders for the three new top jobs created by the Treaty. This Note looks at one of these posts - that of President of the European Council.

• Research Briefing
• EU institutions
• EU law and treaties
• Europe

Research Briefing

Unemployment by constituency, October 2009

Wednesday, 11 November, 2009

This paper shows the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance recorded as resident in each constituency in the United Kingdom in October 2009, together with comparisons with the levels in October 2008 and October 1997. Residence-based unemployment rates are given for all 646 constituencies in the United Kingdom. A summary of the latest labour market data is given, along with a selection of other relevant constituency-level indicators

• Research Briefing
• Work and incomes

Research Briefing

Financial services regulation – proposals for change

Wednesday, 11 November, 2009

This note summarises the proposals put forward in two documents that address the issue of reforms to the regulation of the financial services sector post credit crunch.

• Research Briefing
• Finance

Research Briefing

Unemployment by constituency: change in methodology

Wednesday, 11 November, 2009

• Research Briefing
• Work and incomes

Research Briefing

Tobacco provisions of the Health Bill: Lords amendments

Tuesday, 10 November, 2009

The purpose of this note is to provide an update on the tobacco control provisions and, in particular, the treatment of Commons Amendment 11 in the Lords.

• Research Briefing
• Consumers
• Health

Research Briefing

The Lisbon Treaty: ratification by the Czech Republic

Monday, 09 November, 2009

This Note looks at the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon by the Czech Republic.

• Research Briefing
• EU institutions
• EU law and treaties
• The EU

Research Briefing

The Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006

Friday, 06 November, 2009

• Research Briefing
• Communities
• Equality

Research Briefing

Coroners and Justice Bill: Lords amendments

Friday, 06 November, 2009

This note outlines the principal amendments made to the Coroners and Justice Bill during its Lords stages. Of particular significance are the amendments relating to secret inquests, the use of intercept evidence, the "free speech" proviso to the offence of inciting hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation, the "crime of passion" defence to murder and the introduction of an Independent Commissioner for Terrorist Suspects.

• Research Briefing
• Communities
• Justice

Research Briefing

Welfare Reform Bill: Lords amendments

Friday, 06 November, 2009

• Research Briefing
• Children and families
• Family benefits

Research Briefing

PIL: New Parliamentary Constituencies for England

Thursday, 05 November, 2009

• Research Briefing
• Elections
• UK elections

Research Briefing

Cyprus: a political and economic overview

Wednesday, 04 November, 2009

Cyprus has been divided between the Greek community in the south and the Turkish community in the north since 1974. 2008 brought a renew sense of optimism to those eager for a reunification settlement, but this has now receded somewhat, with suggestions that a 'window of opportunity' may close in the spring of 2010. The economic situation - slowing in the south and already poor in the north - could be further damaged if there is no settlement deal.

• Research Briefing
• Economic situation
• Europe
• The EU

Research Briefing

Economic indicators, November 2009

Tuesday, 03 November, 2009

This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries for selected indicators. [Article: Comparing recessions]

• Research Briefing
• Economic situation

Research Briefing

Newspaper and magazine distribution agreements: competition issues

Tuesday, 03 November, 2009

This note explains the competition issues associated with newspaper and magazine distribution agreements including: whether the distribution agreements which restrict distribution territories are compatible with competition law; the decision to let the National Newspaper Code of Practice lapse; and the OFT's September 2009 decision not to refer the sector to the Competition Commission

• Research Briefing
• Business
• Press and media

Research Briefing

The Future For Green Taxes

Sunday, 01 November, 2009

This paper sets out to explain environmental taxes and their use in the context of existing and forthcoming policy and legislation; it does not explore the arguments surrounding climate change science. In particular this paper sets out: how green taxes are defined; the arguments for and against their use; Labour government policy on green taxation; the new context for environmental taxation in terms of climate change targets; and proposals for the future use of green taxes.

• Research Briefing
• Tax