Research Briefing
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.
Research Briefing
The Infrastructure Bill makes provision for the Government’s proposals to fund, plan, manage and maintain the UK’s national infrastructure.
Research Briefing
This Library Note examines what developments have occurred since the Government’s response to the report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises was published in May 2013.
Research Briefing
This Library Note provides a brief summary of the key measures announced on 19 March 2014 in the Chancellor’s Budget Statement.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Note provides background information to employment figures in the United Kingdom, including how they are defined and some of the economic theories surrounding their levels.
Research Briefing
This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the debate in the House of Lords on the contribution of women to the economy of the UK, to mark International Women’s Day.
Research Briefing
This Library Note provides information on the Immigration Bill, which is due for second reading in the House of Lords on 10 February 2014.
Research Briefing
This Note provides background reading on the Pensions Bill, which is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 3 December 2013.
Research Briefing
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.
Research Briefing
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.
Research Briefing
This Library Note provides information on the Children and Families Bill, which is due for second reading in the House of Lords on 2 July 2013. The Bill covers several areas, including: adoption and children in care; the family justice system; children and young people with special educational needs; the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England; rights to leave and pay for parents; the right to request flexible working; and early years education and child care.
Research Briefing
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.
Research Briefing
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.
Research Briefing
This Library Note summarises reaction to the 2013 Budget Statement from a range of commentators and organisations.
Research Briefing
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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