Research Briefing
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
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
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
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
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
This note provides a timeline showing the developments relating to Members' allowances that have followed the Senior Salaries Review Body's Review of parliamentary pay, pensions and allowances 2007.
Research Briefing
This Note sets out brief details of the system of pay and allowances in several European and Commonwealth countries, the European Union, and the House of Lords. It also includes information on the employment of relatives by Members of Parliament in other countries.
Research Briefing
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.
Research Briefing
This is a report of the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill. It complements Research Papers 09/14 and 09/15 prepared for the Commons Second Reading debate.
Research Briefing
The financial crisis in the US: key events, causes and responses House of Commons Library Research Paper 09/34
Research Briefing
This note describes a Private Members Bill, introduced by Malcolm Wicks MP, with government support, to modernise industrial provident societies and other third sector business forms.
Research Briefing
The 2009 Budget will be presented by the Chancellor on 22 April. This note provides background on recent developments and forecasts for the economy and public finances.
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