Research briefings

This page provides access to research briefings produced by the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). You can find research briefings by sorting by date, type, or one of 350 topics. Pick your options from the dropdown menus.

Find a briefing paper
  1. Click for glossary

    Glossary

    • Commons Library Research Papers: in-depth and impartial analysis on every major piece of primary legislation and on other major topics of public and parliamentary concern. Regular statistics papers are also published.
    • Commons Library Standard Notes: 3,000 briefings on topical issues or frequently asked questions.
    • Lords Library Notes: Written by the research section of the House of Lords Library to provide information on topics of current interest to members
    • POSTnotes: Short briefings produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology analysing policy issues that have a basis in science and technology.
    • POST Reports: Occasional major reports produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

Displaying 1-20 out of 1802

  • London elections 2012 Published 22 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/28 Elections for the Mayor of London and London Assembly were held on 3 May 2012. The Conservative candidate Boris Johnson was re-elected as Mayor, winning 44% of first preference votes. Labour won 12 of the 25 London Assembly seats to become the largest party in the Assembly. Topic: Election results : UK, Elections, Regional assemblies
  • Members’ pay and expenses – current rates and a review of developments since 2009 Published 22 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/29 This Research Paper reviews changes in Members' pay and allowances/expenses since 2009. Topic: Members of Parliament
  • Local elections 2012 Published 21 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/27 Local elections took place in 181 local authorities on 3 May 2012. Almost 4,900 council seats were up for election in 128 local authorities in England, 32 unitary authorities in Scotland and 21 unitary authorities in Wales. Topic: Election results : UK, Elections, Local government
  • Electoral Registration and Administration Bill Published 17 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/26 This research paper has been written to inform Members in preparation for the second reading of the Electoral Registration and Administration Bill 2012-13 Topic: Elections, Electoral register
  • Unemployment by Constituency, May 2012 Published 16 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/25 This paper contains labour market figures for parliamentary constituencies, as well as a summary of the latest national and regional statistics. Topic: Economic situation, Employment, Unemployment
  • Local Government Finance Bill 2012-13 Published 16 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/24 This paper summarises the Second Reading and Committee of the Whole House stages of the Local Government Finance Bill 2010-12, which has been carried over into the 2012-13 session. Library Research Paper 12/01, Local Government Finance Bill 2010-12, published for Second Reading on 10 January 2012 in the 2010-12 session, is relevant. Topic: Housing benefits, Local government
  • Financial Services Bill [Bill 278 of 2010-12] Published 15 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/8 The focus of this Bill is to set up a new framework for financial regulation in the United Kingdom Topic: Financial institutions, Financial services
  • Financial Services Bill: Committee Stage & Report Stage (day one) Report. Published 15 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/23 The focus of this Bill is to establish a new framework for financial regulation in the United Kingdom. Topic: Financial institutions, Financial services
  • Economic Indicators, May 2012 Published 01 May 2012 | Research papers RP12/22 This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Topic: Economic situation
  • Social Indicators Published 27 April 2012 | Research papers RP12/21 A compendium of the latest social statistics. This edition includes articles: Constituency-level crime data, ESA assessments and reassessments and Measuring well-being Topic: Crime, Sickness, disability and carers' benefits, Working age benefits
  • Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL] Published 27 April 2012 | Research papers RP12/20 The Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL] is subject to the fast-track procedure. The Bill was introduced into the House of Lords where it had its Second Reading debate on 24 April 2012. It is expected to complete its remaining stages in the House of Lords on 26 April 2012 and then to be introduced in the House of Commons. All stages of the Bill are expected to take place in the House of Commons on just one day, 30 April 2012. Given these time constraints, this Paper has been published after the Bill’s Second Reading in the House of Lords but before its consideration in Committee. Topic: Consumers, Sports and Olympic Games
  • Civil Aviation Bill: Committee Stage Report Published 20 April 2012 | Research papers RP12/19 This is a report on the Public Bill Committee Stage of the Civil Aviation Bill. Topic: Aviation
  • Financial Services Bill: Committee Stage Report Published 19 April 2012 | Research papers RP12/18 Amended 20 April 2012 The focus of this Bill is to establish a new framework for financial regulation in the United Kingdom. Topic: Financial institutions, Financial services
  • Unemployment by Constituency, April 2012 Published 18 April 2012 | Research papers RP12/17 This paper contains labour market figures for parliamentary constituencies, as well as a summary of the latest national and regional statistics. Topic: Economic situation, Employment, Unemployment
  • Economic Indicators, April 2012 Published 03 April 2012 | Research papers RP12/16 This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Topic: Economic situation
  • Direct Taxes : rates and allowances 2012/12 Published 02 April 2012 | Research papers RP12/15 This paper sets out the main changes to direct tax rates and allowances announced in the Budget on 21 March 2012. Topic: Taxation
  • The Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: political issues Published 27 March 2012 | Research papers RP12/14 Amended 13 April 2012 This paper looks at the background to the TSCG, the reasons for the UK’s non-participation and some of the issues it raises, such as its effectiveness, its relationship with the EU Treaties and EU law, the use of the EU institutions in a non-EU treaty, and whether it could give rise to a ‘two-speed’ Europe and further UK isolation in the EU. Topic: Economic and monetary union, Economic situation, EU budget, EU institutions, EU law and treaties, Europe
  • Economic Indicators, Budget update Published 20 March 2012 | Research papers RP12/13 This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Topic: Economic situation
  • Unemployment by Constituency, March 2012 Published 14 March 2012 | Research papers RP12/12 This paper contains labour market figures for parliamentary constituencies, as well as a summary of the latest national and regional statistics. Topic: Employment, Unemployment
  • Economic Indicators, March 2012 Published 06 March 2012 | Research papers RP12/11 This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. Topic: Economic situation

Related information

The House of Commons Library provides research, analysis and information services for MPs and their staff.

If you have any comments on briefings from the Commons Library, please contact papers@parliament.uk.

Please note, authors are not available to discuss the contents of papers with members of the general public.

The House of Lords Library delivers research and information services to Members and staff of the House in support of parliamentary business.

Email holresearchservices@parliament.uk with comments on Lords Library Notes.

Please note that authors are not available to discuss the contents of Library Notes with members of the general public.

POST produces independent, balanced and accessible briefings on public policy issues related to science and technology. You can leave feedback at www.surveymonkey.com/postnote