Research Briefing Archives

Research Briefing

China: new political directions under a new leadership?

Wednesday, 27 February, 2013

A new Chinese leadership is about to take power at the National People’s Congress, which begins on 5 March. Xi Jinping will take on the role of President, while Li Keqiang will become Premier. The succession of the 'fifth generation' of Communist leaders appeared to have been destabilised during 2012 following the fall of Bo Xilai, but in the end has gone relatively smoothly. Commentators are now focused on whether and, if so, how Xi and Li will change China's political course. This note surveys some of the views being expressed on this issue.
Research Briefing

European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13: Committee Stage Report

Tuesday, 26 February, 2013

The European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13 seeks to approve three EU draft decisions before the UK Government can approve their adoption in the EU Council.
Research Briefing

Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp: Eligibility and How to Apply

Tuesday, 26 February, 2013
- Research Briefing
- Defence
Research Briefing

Justice and Security Bill [HL] Committee Stage Report

Tuesday, 26 February, 2013

This paper has been produced following the Committee Stage of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons, which took place between 29 January and 7 February 2013. The Bill, which has proved contentious, was originally introduced in the House of Lords on 28 May 2012. It is aimed at modernising and strengthening the oversight of the intelligence and security services and would allow the civil courts to use ‘closed material procedures’ to hear sensitive evidence in cases that raised national security concerns. It would also preclude the courts from ordering the disclosure of sensitive information in certain circumstances. The Bill was revised significantly in the Lords and was introduced in the House of Commons on 28 November 2012. Second Reading took place on 18 December 2012. A number of noteworthy and controversial amendments were made to the Bill in Committee.
Research Briefing

Recognising the killings of Iraqi Kurds as genocide

Thursday, 21 February, 2013

The killings of thousands of Iraqi Kurds under Saddam Hussein's rule has been recognised by some as genocide, which has a specific definition under international law.
Research Briefing

Unemployment by Constituency, February 2013

Wednesday, 20 February, 2013

This paper contains labour market figures for parliamentary constituencies, as well as a summary of the latest national and regional statistics.
Research Briefing

Unemployment by constituency: change in methodology, 2013

Wednesday, 20 February, 2013

The Library has changed the methodology used to calculate the claimant rates shown in the monthly Unemployment by Constituency research paper, following the publication of new 2011 Census data for parliamentary constituencies. This note provides details of the changes.
- Research Briefing
- Work and incomes
Research Briefing

In brief: Malawi under President Joyce Banda

Wednesday, 20 February, 2013

Joyce Banda became Malawi's president in turbulent circumstances in April 2012 and since then has sought to build domestic support and win back previously alienated Western donors through an economic and political reform programme. While she has had some successes, there is currently growing public discontent about the economy and her political position is still vulnerable. Her prospects in the 2014 elections are uncertain.
Research Briefing

Employment: Retirement Age

Wednesday, 20 February, 2013

As of 1 October 2011, the Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011 abolished the DRA.
Research Briefing

Census 2011: Eastleigh Constituency

Tuesday, 19 February, 2013

This briefing paper has now been superseded by RP14-10, which summarises Census data for all UK constituencies.
Research Briefing

Draft Care and Support Bill 2012-13

Tuesday, 19 February, 2013

This note provides general information on the draft Care and Support Bill that was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 and published by the Government on 11 July 2012.
Research Briefing

Children and Families Bill

Friday, 15 February, 2013

The Children and Families Bill introduces a wide range of legislation concerning adoption and children in care, aspects of family justice law, special educational needs, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England, child care, statutory rights to leave and pay for parents and adopters, time off work for ante-natal care, and the right to request flexible working. This paper has been prepared for the Second Reading of the Bill.
Research Briefing

Government, banks and “Project Merlin”

Thursday, 14 February, 2013

This note outlines the scope of Project Merlin which was designed to improve relations between government and the banking industry and included commitments on bank lending to business.
- Research Briefing
- Finance
Research Briefing

Railways: EU policy

Thursday, 14 February, 2013

This note gives an overview of the development of a common European railways policy towards the long-aspired to goal of a single European Railway Area.
- Research Briefing
- Rail
Research Briefing

Public Service Pensions Bill 2012/13: devolved administrations

Tuesday, 12 February, 2013

Looks at the extent to which the Public Service Pensions Bill 2012 applies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Research Briefing
- Pensions

Total results (page 414 of 639)