Research briefings

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• Immigration and asylum policy: Government plans and progress made Published 09 May 2013 | Standard notes SN05829 This note provides an overview of the Government’s immigration and asylum policy priorities and its progress in implementing them. Topic: Asylum, Immigration
• Enforcement of a County Court judgment debt Published 09 May 2013 | Standard notes SN05746 This note provides a summary of the different types of methods that can be used to force a judgment debtor to pay a County Court judgment debt. Topic: Civil law
• The retention and disclosure of criminal records Published 09 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06441 This note sets out the rules in England and Wales governing the retention and disclosure of conviction and non-conviction information held on the Police National Computer and the Police National Database. Topic: Criminal law, Police
• Short Money Published 09 May 2013 | Standard notes SN01663 This note provides details of the current levels of 'Short money' allocated to opposition parties for parliamentary duties, and a brief history of the scheme. Figures for the corresponding scheme in the House of Lords (Cranborne money) are provided.The note also provides details of allocations made under the representative money scheme. Topic: Parliament, Political parties
• Overseas voters Published 08 May 2013 | Standard notes SN05923 This Note provides background to the provisions relating to overseas voters in the Representation of the People Act 1985 which was subsequently amended by the Representation of the People Act 1989 and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Information is also given about the procedure for registering to vote as an overseas elector and the means of voting, either by post or by proxy. Topic: Elections, Electoral franchise, General elections
• The Tobin Tax : recent developments Published 07 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06184 The American economist James Tobin first made the suggestion for a tax on currency transactions to dissuade short term currency speculation in the 1970s. Recently the idea of a more general 'Tobin-like' tax on financial transactions has been discussed, in the wake of the global financial crisis. In January 2013 eleven Member States agreed to pursue the introduction of a Tobin-like tax, as consensus on an EU-wide tax proved impossible. The UK is not of the participating States. This note looks at these developments, while a second note (SN1346) gives some historical background to the issue. Topic: Taxation
• The New Homes Bonus Scheme Published 07 May 2013 | Standard notes SN05724 This note explains Government policy on incentivising the approval of new house building by local authorities. Topic: Housing, Housing supply
• Modernisation: Carry-over of public bills Published 07 May 2013 | Standard notes SN03236 The carry-over of public bills from one session to the next was suggested by the Modernisation Committee as a way of reducing the fluctuations in legislative activity caused by Parliamentary sessions. After briefly summarising the Modernisation Committee’s views, this note describes the different approaches to allowing bills to be carried forward in this way in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The note also provides examples of the form of words used in carry-over motions. Topic: Legislative process, Parliament
• Japan’s economy: from the “lost decade” to Abenomics Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06629 Amended 17 May 2013 The effects of the sluggish growth in the 1990s ("the lost decade") are still being felt today in Japan's economy. A new government has embarked on a radical plan to revitalise the fortunes of the world’s third largest economy. These policies have become known as Abenomics, after the new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Topic: Economic policy, Economic situation, World economy
• Economic aspects of Scottish independence: public spending Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06625 Public spending per head of population is higher in Scotland than the UK as a whole. this note provides detailed statistics on this subject and a comparision with other parts of the UK. Topic: Economic policy, Public expenditure, Scottish Parliament
• PIL: Attempts to Amend Crown Succession Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN04663 This PIL lists Private Members’ Bills that have sought to amend crown succession prior to the Government's Succession to the Crown Bill Topic: Crown
• Carbon capture and storage Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN05086 Carbon capture and storage (CCS) generation is not yet proven on a large scale, and nor is storage long-term, despite a series of UK Government and EU initiatives aimed at incentivising its development. In March 2013 Peterhead (Aberdeenshire) and the White Rose Project (Yorkshire) were named as the two preferred bidders in the latest UK CCS Commercialisation Programme Competition. Topic: Climate change, Coal, Electricity, Energy
• Exchange rates: Economic Indicators page Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02811 The Sterling Exchange Rate Index - a measure of the pound's value against major trading partners - rose by 1.3% in April 2013, and was 2.9% lower compared with the same period a year before. The pound was on average worth $1.55 and €1.16 in April. Topic: Economic policy, Economic situation, World economy
• Household Debt: Economic Indicators page Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN02885 There were 25,006 individual insolvencies in England and Wales in Q1 2013, a 12.9% decrease on a year earlier. Topic: Economic situation, Financial services
• Aviation: airline passengers Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN00233 This note deals with three issues affecting airline passengers: the cost of airline tickets; the compensation available for passengers denied boarding or who have suffered flight cancellations and delays; and air carrier liability under the Montreal Convention. Topic: Aviation, Consumers, Taxation
• Stimulating housing supply - Government initiatives Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06416 This note outlines key Government measures aimed at stimulating housing supply. Topic: Housing, Housing supply
• Price competition and other proposals in the latest Ministry of Justice consultation on legal aid Published 03 May 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. Topic: Legal aid
• Bogus charity clothing collections Published 03 May 2013 | Standard notes SN04638 Many charities legitimately collect unwanted items of clothing to raise funds for their cause. However, constituents sometimes raise concerns about organisations which appear to be collecting clothing for a charitable cause but are not in fact registered charities. Some people feel that they are being misled by advertising pamphlets. There have also been problems with the theft of clothing bags left out for collection. Topic: Charities
• LIBOR, Public Inquiries & FSA Disciplinary Powers Published 02 May 2013 | Standard notes SN06376 This note summarises some of the key points relating to the LIBOR scandal. It looks at issues surrounding public inquiries and at the role and limitations of the FSA’s/FCA's disciplinary powers. Topic: Financial institutions, Financial services
• Party Political Broadcasts Published 02 May 2013 | Standard notes SN03354 Amended 07 May 2013 This note sets out the current arrangements for party political broadcasts including such matters as their allocation, frequency, length and content. Topic: Elections, General elections