Research Briefing
Public spending by country and region
This briefing paper gives figures on public spending in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It also gives figures for the English regions.
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Research Briefing
Business statistics
As of 1 January 2025, there were 5.7 million private sector businesses in the UK. This was a 3.5% increase from January 2024.
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Research Briefing
Benefits Uprating 2026/27
DWP benefits that are linked to inflation rise by 3.8% in April 2026, as do inflation-linked benefits administered by HMRC. Universal Credit standard allowances will receive an additional uplift of 2.3%. The basic and new State Pension will be uprated by 4.8% from April 2026. This note outlines details of uprated amounts for the relevant benefits from April 2026.
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Research Briefing
Autumn Budget 2025: Reaction
Links to analysis of the 2025 Autumn Budget from selected think tanks, business groups, political parties and other organisations.
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Research Briefing
UK defence in 2025: Warships and the surface fleet
A summary of current ships in the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary and planned vessels.
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Research Briefing
Autumn Budget 2025: A summary
The Chancellor presented her 2025 Budget to the Commons on 26 November, and the Office for Budget Responsibility published updated forecasts for the economy and public finances for the next five years.
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Research Briefing
Strategic Defence Review 2025: The Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary
What did the UK's 2025 Strategic Defence Review recommend for the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary?
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Research Briefing
Refusing to process asylum claims: the safe country and inadmissibility rules
People who claim asylum in the UK can have their claim thrown out without consideration, or be denied an appeal, if they are from or have been in a safe country.
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Research Briefing
Pension Schemes Bill 2024-25: Progress of the bill
The second reading of the Pension Schemes Bill 2024-25 took place on 7 July 2025. This briefing covers the bill's progress from second reading through to the end of its committee stage.
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Research Briefing
NHS staff from overseas: statistics
Around one in five NHS staff in England report a nationality other than British. This briefing has statistics on the nationality of NHS staff for doctors, nurses and other groups, figures on EU nationals, and changes since the Brexit vote.
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Research Briefing
Iraq: Introductory country profile
This briefing provides an introduction to Iraq's politics, human rights, trade, and international relations. It also signposts further reading.
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Research Briefing
Strategic Defence Review 2025: Key points and paper series
A high-level overview of the Strategic Defence Review and relevant Commons Library briefing papers.
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Research Briefing
The school curriculum in England
Covers the 2025 curriculum and assessment review, planned reforms to the national curriculum, and looks at current requirements for schools in England.
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Research Briefing
Taiwan: Relations with the United States
This briefing looks at the history of the relationship between the US and Taiwan, the approach of the Biden and Trump administrations and US military support.
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Research Briefing
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly and UK delegations
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly provides a forum for parliamentarians from the NATO Member States to debate key defence and security challenges.
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