This paper shows the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance recorded as resident in each constituency in the United Kingdom in August 2009, together with comparisons with the levels in August 2008 and August 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.
This note gives an overview of the Statutory Sick Pay (SPP) scheme and sets out some of the issues that may arise when an employee is absent from work due to illness.
The Bill is the first to be considered under a new House of Lords procedure for Law Commission bills and would implement, with minor modifications, the recommendations of a 1998 Law Commission report on the rule against perpetuities and the rule against excessive accumulations.
The rule against perpetuities sets a time limit, known as the perpetuity period, within which dealings with property which are to take effect in the future (such as a gift to a child who is not yet born) must occur. The Law Commission report considered that the application of the rule is now too wide: it applies, for example, to many commercial dealings which have nothing to do with the family settlements that the rule was designed to control. Moreover, it found that the existence of multiple methods for calculating the perpetuity period is complex and confusing. The Bill defines the circumstances in which the rule would apply. In general terms, it would only apply to rights under trusts. Other property rights would no longer be subject to the rule. Where the rule does apply, the perpetuity period would be 125 years. This period would generally apply prospectively only.
The rule against excessive accumulations applies where a disposition carries a duty or a power to accumulate income. The rule places restrictions on the period of time during which income may be accumulated. The Law Commission found that there was no longer a sound policy basis for restricting settlors’ ability to direct or allow for the accumulation of income, except in the case of charitable trusts. The Bill would therefore abolish the current rule for all non-charitable trusts. Charitable trusts would, however, be subject to a limit of either a 21 year period or the life of the settlor.
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: The UK manufacturing sector]
This note provides background to the recent changes to the judicial appointments system in England and Wales, starting with the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which established the Judicial Appointments Commission. Further changes to eligibility for appointment were made under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, which changed the criteria for appointment to a number of judicial offices.
The Governance of Britain Green Paper suggested that there would be additional changes to the system of judicial appointments. In March 2008, the Government published a White Paper and a Draft Bill setting out the proposed amendments.
This Commons Library paper outlines progress in achieving the decent homes standard in the social and private housing sectors under the Labour Governments between 2000 - 2010.
This note discusses this special tax relief for seafarers, before looking at recent concerns about a change in HM Revenue & Customs' approach to claims for this relief from those working in the oil & gas sector.
This note provides background on the status of the Government's identity cards programme together with information on the Home Office's plans for its further development. It ends with the Home Secretary's announcement of 30 June 2009.
This Note looks at ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. It updates Standard Note 4943, "The Lisbon Treaty: the final four", 20 January 2009, and SN 4921, "The Lisbon Treaty: the European Council and prospects for Irish ratification", 18 December 2008.
This paper shows the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance recorded as resident in each constituency in the United Kingdom in July 2009, together with comparisons with the levels in July 2008 and July 1997. This paper also presents residence-based unemployment rates for all 646 constituencies in the United Kingdom.