Research Briefing
Polling Data on the Scottish Independence Referendum
This Library Note—an update to a previous Note published on 23 June 2014—focuses on public opinion polling data in relation to the Scottish independence referendum.
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Research Briefing
Wales Bill (HL Bill 34 of 2014–15)
The Wales Bill would provide for a range of measures in three key areas. The first is elections to the National Assembly for Wales, where the Bill would alter the length of the electoral term and rules on candidacy. Secondly, the Bill would make provision with regard to a number of financial matters, including the devolution of some tax-raising powers to the Welsh Assembly. Thirdly, the Bill would make provision with regard to housing revenue account debt in Wales, and to adjust the relationship between Welsh Ministers and the Law Commission.
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Research Briefing
Deregulation Bill (HL Bill 33 of 2014–15)
The Deregulation Bill is a wide-ranging bill that is intended to remove or reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, civil society, individuals, public sector bodies and the taxpayer across a number of policy areas including: general and specific areas of business, companies and insolvency, the use of land, housing, transport, communications, the environment, education and training, entertainment, public authorities and the administration of justice.
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Research Briefing
Consumer Rights Bill (HL Bill 29 of 2014–15)
The Consumer Rights Bill makes provision for the reform of consumer law in the UK and connected areas of law. This Note summarises the Bill’s report stage and third reading in the House of Commons.
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Research Briefing
Referendum on Scottish Independence
On 18 September 2014, Scotland will hold a referendum on whether it should be an independent country. This Library Note updates a previous Library Note, published on 27 January 2014, on the subject of the possible consequences of a ‘Yes’ vote. The Note aims to provide broad discussion of some of the main issues raised in connection with the subject, and lists possible sources for further reading.
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Research Briefing
Budget 2014: Reaction
This Library Note provides a brief summary of the key measures announced on 19 March 2014 in the Chancellor’s Budget Statement.
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Research Briefing
Immigration Bill (HL Bill 84 of 2013–14)
This Library Note provides information on the Immigration Bill, which is due for second reading in the House of Lords on 10 February 2014.
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Research Briefing
Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill
The Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill seeks to make a number of changes to the banking and financial services sector. The Bill builds on the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Banking (the Vickers Commission) and the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards and follows a series of Acts passed since the financial crisis of 2008, such as the Financial Services Act 2012.
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Research Briefing
Debate on 18 July: Role of Government in Generating Economic Prosperity and Employment
This Note outlines recent data on the performance of the UK economy, announcements by the Government for capital spending, spending on research and development and action to help businesses gain access to funding. It also looks at proposals for the Government to take more of a role in managing growth, in particular whether the UK needs a more coherent and long-term industrial strategy.
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Research Briefing
Debate on 27 June: the Challenges Faced by Women in Developing Countries
This Library Note focuses on the challenges faced by women in the developing world, and the action which is being taken by the UK Government, international governments and multilateral aid organisations to address these challenges. It briefly considers the significance of gender within the field of international development, and goes on to summarise some of the key research and statistics on the position of women in the developing world, focusing on four areas: education, employment, health, and violence against women.
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Research Briefing
Debate on 13 June: Government’s Priorities at the G8
This Library Note provides background information about the Prime Minister’s stated priorities for the G8 meeting to be held in Northern Ireland on 17–18 June: advancing trade, improving tax compliance and promoting greater transparency.
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Research Briefing
Budget 2013: Reaction
This Library Note summarises reaction to the 2013 Budget Statement from a range of commentators and organisations.
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Research Briefing
Debate on 14 March: Afghanistan’s Regional Relationships
Afghanistan lies at the heart of Central Asia. Since the invasion by Western-led forces in 2001, its relationships with its regional neighbours have been mixed: at times characterised by co-operation, at others by competing national interests. This Note explores those relationships in the context of Afghanistan’s current security, political and economic situation, focusing particularly on key actors such as Pakistan and efforts to encourage dialogue and co-operation, and examines the potential impact of these regional dynamics on Afghanistan’s future stability and prosperity.
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Research Briefing
Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill (HL Bill 78 of 2012-13)
The Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill implements an announcement by the Chancellor in the 2012 Autumn Statement that increases in certain working-age welfare benefits and tax credits would be limited to 1 percent, rather than increasing them in line with inflation. This Library Note is intended to provide background information in advance of the Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords on 11 February 2013.
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Research Briefing
Growth and Infrastructure Bill (HL Bill 72 of 2012–13)
The purpose of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill is to promote investment in infrastructure projects, reduce delays in the planning system and introduce a new employment status of employee shareholder. This Library Note provides background information for the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords on 8 January 2013.
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