Research briefings

Displaying 1-20 out of 5010

Sort by: Most recent first Most recent last

• Inflation: International: Economic indicators page Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02794 Eurozone inflation was 1.2% in the year to April 2013, down from 1.7% in March. UK inflation in the year to March 2013 was 2.8%, the same as in February. Topic: Economic policy, Economic situation, World economy
• Employment: Economic Indicators page Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02796 There were 29.71 million people aged 16 and over in employment in the UK in January to March 2013. The number of people in employment decreased by 43,000 compared to the previous quarter, but was 434,000 higher than in January to March 2012. Topic: Economic situation, Employment
• GDP - International comparisons: Economic Indicators page Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02784 Comparisons of latest GDP data and forecasts for the UK and the world's largest economies. Topic: Economic situation, International economic relations, World economy
• Gross Domestic Product: Economic Indicators page Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02783 The economy grew by an estimated 0.3% in Q1 2013, following a contraction of 0.3% in Q4 2012. Topic: Economic situation
• Interest Rates and the Money Supply: Economic indicators page Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02802 Latest official interest rates from the UK, euro zone and the US are shown on this page. A summary of the Bank of England’s quantitative easing policy and latest money supply data in the UK are also provided. Topic: Economic policy, Economic situation
• Average Earnings: Economic Indicators page Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02795 Latest data on average weekly earnings, including breakdowns by public and private sectors and manufacturing and service sectors. Topic: Economic situation, Pay
• Care Bill [HL] (HL Bill 1 of 2013-14) Published 17 May 2013 | Library notes LLN 2013/010 The Care Bill consolidates and reforms adult social care law in England. It includes provision for a cap on individual social care cost contributions and implements legislative responses to the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust failings. This Library Note provides background information ahead of the second reading debate on the Care Bill in the House of Lords on 21 May 2013. Topic: Health finance, Health services, Health staff and professions
• EU Bibliographies: Proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06554 This Note brings together documents relevant to the proposals to reform the Common Agricultural Policy and its scrutiny in the UK and EU. It is not an attempt to define policy in this area. For information on policy developments contact Emma Downing on extn 6787 Topic: Agriculture, Agriculture and environment, EU law and treaties
• Financial Indicators: Economic Indicators page Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN05207 The FTSE-100 is up 6% on the month and up 24% on the year. Oil is up 4% on the month and down 7% on the year. Gold is up 3% on the month and down 10% on the year. Topic: Economic situation
• The Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06430 This note considers, on the basis of published Impact Assessments, which of the Hargreaves recommendations would require primary, and which secondary, legislation. At Committee stage of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill 2012-13, the Government added two new clauses to the Bill which appear to be a first move toward implementing Hargreaves. These enabling measures, affecting so-called “orphan works” and extended collective licensing, are now enshrined in the 2013 Act but will not take effect until the necessary regulations have been developed, opened to public consultation and approved by Parliament. Topic: Intellectual property
• Single-tier state pension Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06525 This notes look at the Government's proposals to introduce a single-tier state pension for future pensioners from April 2016 Topic: Pensions
• Water bills in the south-west Published 17 May 2013 | Standard notes SN05894 This note provides information on water bills in the south-west, which are significantly higher than in other parts of England. It describes the Government’s solution to the problem: a payment allowing a £50 reduction of South West Water customer bills from April 2013. Topic: Water, Water industry
• Offender Rehabilitation Bill [HL] (HL Bill 2 of 2013–14) Published 16 May 2013 | Library notes LLN 2013/009 The Offender Rehabilitation Bill would provide increased support and supervision upon release for those serving prison sentences of up to two years, and would make changes to the arrangements for community orders and suspended sentence orders. This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords. Topic: Alternatives to prison, Courts, Crime, Prisons
• Unemployment - National: Economic Indicators page Published 16 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02797 • ILO unemployment in January 2013 - March 2013 was 2.52 million (7.8% of all economically active) – up 15,000 from the previous quarter. (UK, seasonally adjusted). Topic: Unemployment
• Nuclear power Published 16 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06228 Nuclear power appears set to retain an important role in electricity generation and reducing carbon emissions. Issues include the continued safe operation of Britain's stations, the disposal of radioactive waste and proliferation concerns. Topic: Climate change, Electricity, Energy, Nuclear power
• Housing Market: Economic Indicators page Published 16 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02820 • There were 27,370 house building starts in England in Q1 2013, 4% more than in Q4 2012, and 15% more than in Q1 2012. This is above the low of 14,470 in Q1 2009, but still well below the 48,910 starts in Q1 2007. Topic: Economic situation, Housing
• Legal help: where to go and how to pay Published 16 May 2013 | Standard notes SN03207 This note sets out information about where to seek legal help or advice in England and Wales. Topic: Legal aid, Legal profession
• Single-tier State Pension - women born between 1951 and 1953 Published 16 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06620 This note looks at the arguments regarding those women born between April 1951 and 1953 who are expected not to be eligible for the Government's proposed Single-tier State Pension, although a man born on the same date may be. Topic: Pensions
• Pensions Bill 2013-14 Published 16 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06634 Looks at provisions in the Pensions Bill 2013/14 and will follow its progress through Parliament. Topic: Pensions
• The Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill [Bill 7 of 2013-14] Published 15 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06639 The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill (Bill 7 of 2013-14) was introduced in the Commons on 9 May 2013. This standard note gives a brief outline of the main areas of the Bill together with sources for further reading. Topic: Animals, Anti-social behaviour, Criminal law, Police, Terrorism