The centenary of the start of the First World War will be marked in 2014. Britain entered the conflict in August 1914 and remained at war until November 1918.
Britain and the First World War: Parliament, Empire and Commemoration (587KB PDF)
The centenary of the start of the First World War will be marked in 2014. Britain entered the conflict in August 1914 and remained at war until November 1918.
This Library Note provides background reading on several aspects of the First World War. It discusses the activity of the British Parliament during the war: briefly describing a number of debates and statements which took place in August 1914 regarding the outbreak of war and Britain’s entry into the conflict; and summarising a small selection of legislation that was enacted by Parliament during the war. The Note then looks at a number of countries from the British Empire and the British Dominions who sent troops overseas to fight in the war. Finally, it provides information on the British Government’s programme to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Britain and the First World War: Parliament, Empire and Commemoration (587KB PDF)
The UK is a signatory to the convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine. The commission would assess claims for compensation for damage and losses caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has broadly welcomed the convention, but also raised concerns about the scope and efficacy of the commission.
The National Security (State Threats) Bill would create new powers for the home secretary to designate bodies engaged in state threat activity, equivalent to the proscription of terrorist organisations under the Terrorism Act 2000. The bill would create three new offences associated with designation of supporting, assisting, or receiving material benefit from a designated body. These offences would carry sentences of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Social media and other technologies have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for foreign powers to spread false information online aimed at undermining UK democracy. Such disinformation campaigns are one type of interference operation. In parallel, researchers have noted a link between declining public trust and societal polarisation, which can be exacerbated by online discourse. This briefing provides introductory reading to these issues, including recent reports and government announcements.
