• Research Briefing

    UK-Commonwealth Trade

    This House of Lords Library briefing examines the trade relationship between the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. It provides a brief overview of UK trade, including information on its largest export market and largest source of imports. It then discusses Commonwealth trade, focussing on intra-Commonwealth trade. Finally it examines UK-Commonwealth trade relations and summarises a range of recent statements and commentary pertaining to the future of those trade relationships in the context of the European Union referendum result.

  • Research Briefing

    Health and Social Care Act 2012: Performance and Sustainability of the NHS

    This Library briefing has been prepared ahead of the forthcoming debate on the impact of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 on the current performance of the National Health Service and its future sustainability. It provides a summary of the changes brought in by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, presents statistics on NHS performance and provides information on recent developments in regard to the issue of the NHS’s finances and its sustainability.

  • Research Briefing

    Lobbying and Political Campaigning: Charities and Trade Unions

    This House of Lords Library briefing sets out the legislation that regulates the statutory register of lobbyists, and outlines the rules governing the ability of charities and trade unions to engage in political activity and to campaign in relation to elections. This briefing has been written in preparation for the debate in the House of Lords on 8 September 2016 on the role that charities, trade unions and civil society groupings play in a democracy and the case for regulating lobbying activities.

  • Research Briefing

    NHS and Social Care Workforce: Implications of Leaving the European Union

    This Library briefing has been prepared ahead of the forthcoming debate on the implications of the European Union referendum result on the NHS and social care workforce, particularly with regard to ‘safe’ staffing levels. It details statistics on the numbers of citizens from other EU member states currently working in the NHS and social care; examines a range of commentary and reaction to the result of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union and the potential implications for staffing in the NHS; and briefly examines the debate and recent developments on the issue of ‘safe’ staffing levels.

  • Research Briefing

    Regional Representation in the House of Lords

    This House of Lords Library briefing provides an analysis of Members’ registered address locations from the January 2016 expenses data and provides an indicative picture of the regional breakdown of the House of Lords. Data is also provided from August 2013 and September 2011 for comparative purposes.

  • Research Briefing

    Resourcing and Staffing of the Courts

    This Lords Library briefing has been prepared for the debate to take place in the House of Lords on Thursday 14 July, about staffing and resourcing of the courts. It provides an overview of HM courts reform, in particular it focuses on the proposed closure of further courts but also touches upon the move to a digitised and more flexible court system and issues that have been raised in response to the proposed reform.

  • Research Briefing

    Causes of Poverty in the United Kingdom

    This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate that is scheduled to take place in the House on 14 July 2016 on the following motion: “[...] that this House takes note of the case for tackling the causes of poverty in the United Kingdom”.

  • Research Briefing

    Policing and Crime Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

    This House of Lords Library briefing provides an overview of the provisions of the Policing and Crime Bill. It focuses on the provisions of the Bill which concern the emergency services; the police complaints and disciplinary systems; the police workforce; police powers; and the protection of children and vulnerable adults. It outlines the policy background in those areas, and a summary of some of the key amendments made to the Bill during committee and report stages in the House of Commons.

  • Research Briefing

    Leaving the EU: Parliament’s Role in the Process

    Following the result of the referendum held on 23 June 2016, this House of Lords Library briefing examines what Parliament’s role would be in the process of withdrawing from the European Union in several key areas: invoking Article 50; overseeing the negotiation process; ratifying agreements; repealing and reviewing domestic legislation. This is an updated version of the briefing issued on 30 June 2016.

  • Research Briefing

    Historical Child Sex Abuse Investigations

    A number of investigations into historical child sex abuse in the UK have been launched by the police and public institutions in recent years. This follows allegations that claims of child sex abuse made against public figures had not been properly investigated in the past. This briefing focuses on the existing guidance for conducting these investigations and provides background information on recent investigations that have taken place. It has been written in preparation for a debate that is due to take place in the House of Lords on 30 June 2016 on the case for introducing statutory guidelines relating to the investigation of cases of historical child sex abuse.

Total results (page 159 of 185)