• Research Briefing

    Heroes Return 2 Scheme

    The Heroes Return 2 Scheme was launched by the Big Lottery Fund on 1 April 2009. Under this scheme funding will be provided for veterans, spouses, widows and carers wishing to return to those places where they fought during the Second World War and mark any relevant anniversaries in 2009 and 2010. This note sets out the principles of the scheme, eligibility and how to apply for funding.

  • Research Briefing

    Economic indicators, May 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: The 2009 Budget - economic and public finance forecasts]

  • Research Briefing

    Council Tax 2009/10

    This note contains key statistics on council tax levels in 2009/10 and a limited amount of analysis is provided. The main purpose of this note is to act as a reference document although more detailed analysis is available on request.

  • Research Briefing

    Members’ allowances – the Government’s proposals for reform

    This note outlines the background to the CSPL inquiry and contrasts the Government's proposals for reforming the allowances' system with the conclusions reached by the MEC in its June 2008 Review of Allowances. It briefly notes some reaction and responses to the Government's proposals and gives details of the current amounts that Members can claim under the allowances.

  • Research Briefing

    Direct taxes: rates and allowances 2009/10

    This paper sets out the main changes to direct tax rates and allowances announced in the Budget on 22 April 2009. It lists the principal personal allowances which will be available against income tax in the tax year 2009/10, and it outlines the conditions necessary for eligibility for these allowances.

  • Research Briefing

    Russia’s Military Posture

    This paper examines Russia’s current military posture. It does not attempt to be a comprehensive examination of every aspect of Russian military policy but is intended as an introduction to some of the more pertinent aspects, including Russia’s military capabilities, its ability to defend its increasingly diverse strategic interests and the credibility of Russia’s modernisation and rearmament programme which was announced toward the end of 2008.

  • Research Briefing

    Russia and the West

    A year on from Dmitry Medvedev’s succession to the Kremlin, this paper analyses the evolution of Russian foreign policy under both Putin and Medvedev. It seeks to identify the main themes, interests, and objectives of Russian foreign policy, and to appraise the role of President Medvedev in the direction of Russian diplomacy and his relationship with Prime Minister Putin. In so doing, it examines, in detail, Russia’s relationship with the United States, NATO, the EU, and the UK and analyses the role of energy in relations between Russia and the West. Finally, it looks ahead at the prospects for the relationship in light of President Obama’s declared intention to press the “reset” button in US-Russian relations.

  • Research Briefing

    What happens when prices fall?

    Inflation as measured by the RPI was -0.3% in March 2009, the first time it has been negative since 1960. It is likely to continue to be negative for some months to come in 2009 with possible consequences for pensions, benefits and taxes.

  • Research Briefing

    Unemployment by Constituency, March 2009

    This paper shows the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance recorded as resident in each constituency in the United Kingdom in March 2009, together with comparisons with the levels in March 2008 and March 1997. This paper also presents residence-based unemployment rates for all 646 constituencies in the United Kingdom.