Research briefings

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• Applicants and entrants to higher education: Social Indicators page Published 10 June 2013 | Standard notes SN02629 Brief snapshot of recent changes in entrants to HE via UCAS Topic: Higher education, Students
• Paying Housing Benefit direct to tenants in social rented housing Published 10 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06291 This note explains the Government’s intention that social housing tenants in receipt of assistance with their housing costs should take responsibility for passing this assistance to their landlords when Universal Credit is phased in from April 2013. Topic: Housing benefits, Social rented housing
• Political progress in Libya? Published 10 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06582 Has Libya built on the achievement of successful elections in 2012 to make real progress towards a modern, democratic and secure state? Topic: Africa, International politics and government
• Public procurement: small businesses and savings Published 10 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06069 This note briefly sets out the European and domestic public procurement rules before summarising Government efforts to use its procurement spend to support small businesses. It also sets out recent reforms to procurement processes which have aimed to drive down costs by centralising contracts with major government suppliers. Topic: Public administration, Public expenditure, Small businesses
• In brief: Iraq abuse judgment of May 2013 Published 10 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06661 the High Court ruled on 24 May 2013 that the Iraq Historic Allegations Team investigating accusations of abuse by British forces in Iraq is independent but insufficient to fulfil the UK's obligations and ordered that inquest-style hearings should be ... Topic: Armed forces, Human rights, Iraq, Military operations
• PIL: Living Former MPs Published 10 June 2013 | Standard notes SN05324 A list of all known living former Members as at 30/05/2013. Topic: Members of Parliament
• Price competition and other proposals in the latest Ministry of Justice consultation on legal aid Published 07 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06628 In its recent consultation paper on legal aid, the Ministry of Justice is proposing to introduce price competition in the criminal legal aid market. It estimates this, along with other proposals, could save £220 million of legal aid spending per year by 2018/19. The proposal, though, is proving controversial as critics raise concerns about the potential impact on the legal profession and the service offered to those needing help. Consultation closed on 4 June 2013. Topic: Legal aid
• PIL: Opposition Day Debates 2010 - present Published 07 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06315 Opposition Day debates Topic: House of Commons
• Anti-social behaviour in private housing Published 07 June 2013 | Standard notes SN01012 Anti-social behaviour in private housing. By Wendy Wilson. SN/SP/1012. An overview of remedies available to tackle ASB in privately rented and owner occupied housing. Topic: Anti-social behaviour, Owner occupation, Private rented housing
• Lobbying: June 2013 update Published 07 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06660 Amended 11 June 2013 This Note covers the debate over a statutory register of lobbyists, and gives an update on the Government’s plans to legislate. Topic: Central government, Parliament, Public administration
• Interest Rates and the Money Supply: Economic indicators page Published 07 June 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
• UK Balance of Trade: Economic Indicators page Published 07 June 2013 | Standard notes SN02815 Latest trade statistics for the UK. Topic: Economic situation, International trade
• Proposal to increase the number of EU Court of Justice Advocates-General Published 07 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06659 This Note looks at a draft Council decision to increase the number of Advocates-General at the EU Court of Justice in the context of reform of the EU Court of Justice. Topic: EU institutions, EU law and treaties
• Financial education in schools Published 06 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06156 This note provides an outline of current arrangements relating to financial education in schools, and notes some recent developments. It covers England only. Topic: Schools
• EU bibliographies: posting of workers enforcement Published 06 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06362 This Note brings together documents relevant to the proposed “posting of workers enforcement directive” 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 Jacqueline Parker on extn 4317 Topic: Employment, EU law and treaties
• Septic tanks: new regulations Published 06 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06059 Septic tanks within groundwater source protection zone 1 had to be registered or have an environmental permit by 2012. All other septic tanks may have to be registered depending on the outcome of the consultation by DEFRA due to be announced in 2013. Topic: Agriculture and environment, Biodiversity, Countryside, Environmental protection, Water, Wildlife
• Knives and offensive weapons Published 06 June 2013 | Standard notes SN00330 This note summarises the legislation which governs the possession and sale of knives and other offensive weapons. It includes an overview of recent developments such as the Tackling Knives Action Programme and Brooke Kinsella's review of anti-knife crime projects. Topic: Crime, Crimes of violence, Criminal law, Offensive weapons
• Housing Market: Economic Indicators page Published 06 June 2013 | Standard notes SN02820 House prices on the Nationwide index rose by 0.4% in May after a 0.1% rise in April. Prices were 1.1% higher compared with a year ago on this measure. House prices on the Halifax index rose by 0.4% in May following a 1.1% rise in April. Prices are 1.1% higher than a year ago on this measure. Topic: Economic situation, Housing
• Mediation and other alternatives to court Published 06 June 2013 | Standard notes SN04176 Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is the collective term for settling civil disputes with the help of an independent third party and without the need for a formal court hearing. Alternatives to litigation include: mediation, ombudsmen schemes and arbitration. In relevant circumstances, ADR schemes may offer certain advantages over going to court in that they can be more flexible, quicker, less stressful and less expensive. Topic: Civil law, Legal profession
• Coalitions at Westminster Published 05 June 2013 | Standard notes SN06404 This standard note looks at coalition governments at Westminster. Topic: Central government, Parliament