Research Briefing
The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the Government and the Armed Forces. It was published in May 2011 and its core principles were enshrined in law, for the first time, in the Armed Forces Act 2011. It applies to all three services. The Government published the first annual report in December 2012.
Research Briefing
This note sets out the legislative procedure put in place by the previous Conservative Government to allow for the privatisation of trust ports; how this was implemented in the mid-1990s; and the possibility of more trust ports being privatised in the future. It also gives information about the proposed privatisation of the Port of Dover, which has been the subject of much controversy and was finally rejected by the Government in December 2012.
Research Briefing
This Note details political developments in Northern Ireland in 2012. For developments prior to January 2012, see the Library’s previous notes available from the Parliamentary website.
Research Briefing
In 2009, the UK Government imposed direct rule in the Turks and Caicos following a corruption investigation. Local ministerial rule was restored in 2012.
Research Briefing
This note contains a short and highly selective chronology of constitutional change over the past century. Prominent themes include parliamentary reform, devolution and changes to the franchise.
Research Briefing
On 19 December 2012 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government made a statement announcing provisional figures for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 local government finance settlements. Total central government funding for all local authorities in England will fall by 3.9% in 2013/14 and 8.6% in 2014/15.
Research Briefing
Oxfam has launched a campaign on the issue of ‘land-grabbing’ – or what others would call ‘large-scale land acquisitions’ – in developing countries around the world, including by foreign governments or companies, with the World Bank primarily in its sights. This note is a brief introduction to the debate, current multilateral initiatives on the issue and the stance of the UK Government.
Research Briefing
In spite of generally excellent bilateral relations, Iceland and the UK have had a number of fisheries disputes. There are now increasing tensions between the two parties after Iceland started catching large quantities of mackerel. Iceland has been condemned for ‘plundering’ the stock and for threatening its long-term future. The stock is worth some £200 million to the UK economy. The dispute has become known as the Mackerel War.
Research Briefing
Sri Lanka's civil war ended in May 2009. Since then President Mohinda Rajapakse has consolidated his power at home but has been unable to shake off international controversy about alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by the security forces during the final phase of the conflict. There are also grave doubts about whether the govermment is willing to promote the kind of regional autonomy that many observers believe is essential to avoiding renewed conflict in the longer-term.
Research Briefing
State pension, benefits and tax credits increase in April 2013 - this note sets out how the new rates are calculated
Research Briefing
The Succession to the Crown Bill would make changes so that gender would no longer play a part in determining the order of succession to the Crown, and so that a person marrying a Roman Catholic would no longer be barred from becoming or remaining monarch. It would also remove a requirement for descendants of George II to seek permission from the monarch to marry, replacing it with a requirement for the first six people in the line of succession to seek consent if they wish to remain in line to the throne. This Paper discusses the existing rules, the changes proposed by the Bill, and the process among the 16 states of which the Queen is Head of State to make the changes together.
Research Briefing
Summary of Lords committee stages of Financial Services Bill
Research Briefing
Chalara fraxinea is a fungus which is causing a serious disease of ash trees known as ash dieback. Ash dieback was discovered in the UK in February 2012 and a ban on ash imports introduced on 29 October 2012. This note provides information on the disease and the Government's actions to control it.
Research Briefing
This note outlines the current provision of careers services in England, then briefly outlines some of the services that have been replaced and also includes some comment from experts on current careers services.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Background Paper sets out how legislation is passed through the House of Commons and the House of Lords and explains the terms involved.
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