Research Briefing
Cancun Climate Conference
This note covers the climate negotiations which have taken place since the Copenhagen Conference (COP 15) in December 2009, in the lead up to the next meeting in Cancun in November 2010.
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Research Briefing
Localism Bill: Local government and community empowerment [Bill No 126 of 2010-11]
The Localism Bill 2010-11 was introduced in the House of Commons on 13 December 2010. This Paper summarises the local government and community empowerment sections of the Bill. Aspects of the Bill relating to planning, housing and London are summarised in Research Paper 11/03. The Bill is due to receive its second reading in the House of Commons on 17 January 2011.
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Research Briefing
Economic Indicators, January 2011
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Latest data from the labour market show the unemployment rate rising to 7.9% in the three months to October, the first quarterly increase since April. The number of people in employment fell during the same period, with the number of people in full-time employment still lower compared with a year ago. These figures, together with tax increases and above-target inflation, make for an uncertain economic outlook in 2011. [Articles:'The VAT increase' and 'Eurozone debt crises']
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Research Briefing
Localism Bill: Planning and Housing
This paper covers three parts of the Bill: Part 5 of the Bill will abolish regional planning, introduce a neighbourhood planning regime and abolish the Infrastructure Planning Commission. Part 6 of the Bill will make significant changes to the way in which social housing is provided and will also repeal the legislation governing the provision of Home Information Packs (HIPs). This Part includes provisions that will enable the long awaited reform of council housing finance. Part 7 of the Bill will make changes to housing and regeneration functions in London. It will abolish the London Development Agency and introduce a regime for Mayoral Development Corporations. Changes to Greater London Authority governance will allow the delegation of functions by Ministers to the Mayor.
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Research Briefing
Postal Services Bill: Committee Stage Report Bill 120 of 2010-11 (as amended; Bill 78 as introduced)
The Postal Services Bill passed Second Reading in the Commons on 27 October. The Bill was considered in Public Bill Committee in 20 sittings, between 9 November and 9 December 2010. No Opposition amendments were agreed and only minor Government amendments were made to Clause 80 in Part 4 of the Bill.
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Research Briefing
Support for Mortgage Interest: the standard rate from 1 October 2010 (archived)
This Commons Library briefing paper has been archived as it no longer offers up-to-date information. However, we have published other papers which may be of interest.
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Research Briefing
In brief: The Horn of Africa – review of events during 2010 and prospects for 2011
This note briefly reviews events in the Horn of Africa during 2010 and prospects for 2011
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Research Briefing
Rectification procedure
This note reviews the origins and evolution of the rectification procedure. It notes how many times it has been used. It sets out John Lyon's proposals to change it. It reports the BBC's coverage of Sir George Young's letter to the Committee on Standards and Privileges. Finally, it outlines the Committee on Standards and Privileges' recommendations, and the House's decisions.
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Research Briefing
Cold Weather Payments for winter 2010/2011
Cold Weather Payments are made to certain claimants of means-tested benefits during periods of very cold weather. To trigger the £25 payments, the average temperature in an area must be recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.
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Research Briefing
Amending the EU Treaty: the European Stability Mechanism
On 17 December 2010 the European Council agreed to establish a permanent financial crisis mechanism called the "European Stability Mechanism" (ESM) by means of an amendment to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This Note looks at the likely ratification path in the UK of the proposed amendment to Article 136 TFEU, as set out in the draft European Council decision of 17 December 2010.
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Research Briefing
Security-related incidents, paramilitary-style attacks, and deaths due to the security situation in Northern Ireland
Security-related incidents, paramilitary-style attacks, and deaths due to the security situation in Northern Ireland. By Ross Young. SN/SG/2229.
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Research Briefing
Global violent jihad
This note looks at British and other assessments of the threat from global violent jihad, Muslim attitudes towards it and the countries that are known to be havens for jihadis and those that are suspected to be at risk.
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Research Briefing
Middle East Peace Process: historical background and a detailed chronology from 1990 to 2010
This note provides a summary of the historical background to the conflict between the israelis and the Palestinians, and a detailed chronology of the peace process from 1990 to 2010.
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Research Briefing
Fixed-term Parliaments Bill 2010-11: Commons stages
The Fixed-term Parliaments Bill [Bill No 64 of 2010-11] was introduced to the House of Commons on 22 July 2010 and had its Second Reading on 13 September 2010. This Note details the progress of the Bill, including developments between First and Second Reading and the Second Reading debate itself.
Total results (page 465 of 639)