Current Affairs Digest
This piece sets out commentary from economists and academics analysing the current issues with global inflation. In particular, it considers the impact of rising interest rates and whether a ‘soft landing’ is possible.
In Focus
The House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee identified six main “longstanding drivers” of youth unemployment: skills gaps and shortages; access to careers advice; the further education system; availability of apprenticeships; support for disadvantaged groups; and coordination between government departments. The committee stated that the Covid-19 pandemic had made the situation worse, especially for those disadvantaged groups already facing additional barriers. This article summarises the findings and recommendations of the committee.
In Focus
This article sets out the transition away from LIBOR which, until recently, was a key benchmark set of interest rates underpinning trillions of pounds worth of financial contracts. The article has been written ahead of a House of Lords question for short debate on the use of LIBOR.
In Focus
Volatility in the financial markets can have impacts throughout the financial system. This article looks at the role of the Bank of England in maintaining financial stability and its recent intervention to prevent “dysfunction” in the gilt market from causing “contagion” to credit conditions for UK households and businesses. In particular, the article looks at how recent financial market volatility may have affected pensions, mortgages and the rental market.
Research Briefing
The Electronic Trade Documents Bill [HL] provides for certain digital trade documents to be put on the same legal footing as their paper counterparts. It implements the recommendations made by the Law Commission in March 2022. The bill was introduced in the House of Lords by Lord Kamall (Conservative) on 12 October 2022. The second reading of the bill is due to take place on 7 November 2022.
Research Briefing
The Energy Prices Bill would enact several policies the government announced in September 2022 to reduce the cost of energy for consumers. The bill would put in place the ‘energy price guarantee’, which would limit the cost of electricity and gas per unit for domestic consumers. This was initially planned to run for two years, however on 17 October 2022 the government announced it would be reduced to six months. The bill is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 19 October 2022.
In Focus
The rising cost of living has been associated with a reduction in wellbeing, including increased anxiety and worsening mental health. Charities and campaign groups have said the impact of increased costs has been worse for households already on lower incomes. Since becoming prime minister, Liz Truss has said the government’s priority is to increase economic growth while announcing at the same time an increase in government support for household energy bills. However, the opposition has said the government has not provided adequate support for households struggling with the rising cost of living.
Research Briefing
The Health and Social Care Levy (Repeal) Bill would repeal the Health and Social Care Levy Act 2021 while maintaining a legislative basis for keeping tax receipts collected under provisions in that act until early November 2022. The House of Commons considered the bill at second reading and all remaining stages on 11 October 2022. The House of Lords is scheduled to similarly consider the bill on 17 October 2022.
In Focus
This article focuses on the announcements made in the chancellor of the exchequer’s fiscal statement on 23 September 2022, and the reaction to it by commentators and the financial markets.
In Focus
Corruption can be defined as dishonest and illegal behaviour by people in positions of power. It threatens national security, reduces access to services, erodes public trust in institutions and impedes investment. Measures of corruption produced by organisations such as Transparency International indicate stability in the UK’s recent global corruption rank. However, anti-corruption experts have pointed to a number of recent scandals which are leading to the perception that corruption in the UK is worsening.
In Focus
The world is currently experiencing a food crisis. UK consumers are also facing rapid food price inflation. Both the UK government and international bodies, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, have identified climate change and biodiversity loss as major contributing factors to food insecurity in the UK and around the world. This briefing considers the nature and extent of this impact and government policies to improve UK food security.
Research Briefing
The Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative). The bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 9 September 2022.
Research Briefing
This proposed law seeks to tighten the rules around the use of ‘fire and rehire’ practices by employers, including by providing affected workers with additional protections.
Current Affairs Digest
Why are childcare costs in the UK so high? This article looks at some of the reasons for the increase in UK childcare costs since 2010, which are among the highest in the OECD. The government has recently announced a consultation on loosening staff to child ratios for childcare providers. However, there has been criticism of the proposals from some parts of the childcare sector.
Current Affairs Digest
This Current Affairs Digest looks at articles on the Russian economy and currency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the impact of the 'eat out to help out' scheme on Covid-19, and women in top jobs in the UK.
Total results (page 10 of 38)