Research briefings

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• Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill Published 28 February 2013 | Research papers RP13/15 Amended 01 March 2013 This, latest, financial services reform legislation brings together the final proposals for how the banking sector will look going forward. Topic: Financial institutions, Financial services
• Asylum: Financial support for asylum seekers Published 28 February 2013 | Standard notes SN01909 Asylum seekers are not eligible for mainstream welfare benefits whilst waiting for a decision on their asylum application. Instead, if they are destitute, they can apply to the UK Border Agency for accommodation and/or financial support. The Government has recently confirmed that it is conducting a review of the asylum support system, which is expected to be completed by the end of the financial year. Topic: Asylum
• China: new political directions under a new leadership? Published 27 February 2013 | Standard notes SN05862 Amended 28 February 2013 A new Chinese leadership is about to take power at the National People’s Congress, which begins on 5 March. Xi Jinping will take on the role of President, while Li Keqiang will become Premier. The succession of the 'fifth generation' of Communist leaders appeared to have been destabilised during 2012 following the fall of Bo Xilai, but in the end appears to have gone relatively smoothly. Commentators are now focused on whether and, if so, how Xi and Li will change China's political course. This note surveys some of the views expressed on this issue. Topic: Asia, Human rights, International politics and government
• Land Value Taxation Published 27 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06558 This note discusses recent debates over the case for taxing land values and proposals for a 'mansions tax' - an annual levy on the most valuable residential properties. Topic: Housing, Taxation
• Components of GDP: Economic Indicators page Published 27 February 2013 | Standard notes SN02787 Latest data on the components that make up GDP, including household consumption, government spending, investment and net trade (exports less imports). Topic: Economic situation
• Child Trust Funds & Junior ISA transferability Published 27 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06468 Child Trust Funds and Junior Isa complaints Topic: Financial services, Taxation
• Under-occupation of social housing: Housing Benefit entitlement Published 26 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06272 This note provides information on under-occupation in the social rented sector, explains the potential impact of Housing Benefit restrictions for households that are under-occupying from April 2013 and covers possible responses by landlords and tenants. Topic: Housing benefits, Social rented housing
• 4G spectrum Published 26 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06383 Ofcom is proceeding with plans to auction radio spectrum needed for 4G mobile devices. One related issue is the potential for interference with TV reception. Topic: Broadcasting, Telecommunications
• European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13: Committee Stage Report Published 26 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06565 The European Union (Approvals) Bill [HL] 2012-13 seeks to approve three EU draft decisions before the UK Government can approve their adoption in the EU Council. Topic: EU Council of Ministers, EU institutions, EU law and treaties, European Commission, European Council, Human rights
• Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp: Eligibility and How to Apply Published 26 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06564 The Prime Minister announced on 19 December 2012 that veterans of the Arctic Convoys in World War Two would be awarded an Arctic Star and that the veterans of Bomber Command would be awarded a clasp to the 1939-1945 Star. The eligibility criteria for ... Topic: Veterans
• Planning Reform Proposals Published 26 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06418 This note sets out recent Government proposals to reform certain aspects of planning law and policy. Topic: Planning, Regional planning and development
• Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit for children resident in other EEA countries Published 26 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06561 Domestic legislation provides that both Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit cannot normally be paid in respect of children resident abroad. However, under provisions in EU law on social security coordination within the European Economic Area (EEA), Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit may be payable to EEA migrants in the United Kingdom in respect of their dependent children resident in another Member State. Topic: EU enlargement, Family benefits, Immigration, Working age benefits
• Youth unemployment statistics Published 26 February 2013 | Standard notes SN05871 In the period October-December 2012, 974,000 young people aged 16-24 were unemployed, up 11,000 on the previous quarter but down 59,000 on the previous year. Topic: Unemployment
• Justice and Security Bill [HL] Committee Stage Report Published 26 February 2013 | Research papers RP13/13 This paper has been produced following the Committee Stage of the Justice and Security Bill in the House of Commons, which took place between 29 January and 7 February 2013. The Bill, which has proved contentious, was originally introduced in the House of Lords on 28 May 2012. It is aimed at modernising and strengthening the oversight of the intelligence and security services and would allow the civil courts to use ‘closed material procedures’ to hear sensitive evidence in cases that raised national security concerns. It would also preclude the courts from ordering the disclosure of sensitive information in certain circumstances. The Bill was revised significantly in the Lords and was introduced in the House of Commons on 28 November 2012. Second Reading took place on 18 December 2012. A number of noteworthy and controversial amendments were made to the Bill in Committee. Topic: Civil law, Human rights, Intelligence services
• The 0.7% aid target Published 22 February 2013 | Standard notes SN03714 Amended 04 March 2013 This note examines the definition of the 0.7% aid target, its origins and the UK's and other countries' performance against it. It also summarises recent attempts to enshrine the target in legislation and some criticism of its relevance. Topic: Africa, International development, International economic relations, Public expenditure
• Unemployment - Regional: Economic Indicators page Published 22 February 2013 | Standard notes SN02798 Over the period October to December 2012, the North East had the highest unemployment rate, at 9.7% of the economically active population. The lowest rate over the same period was 5.5% in the South West. Topic: Unemployment
• Average Earnings: Economic Indicators page Published 22 February 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
• GDP - International comparisons: Economic Indicators page Published 22 February 2013 | Standard notes SN02784 In Q4-2012, output in the eurozone as a whole contracted by 0.6%, while Germany and France saw their output contract by 0.6% and 0.3% respectively. UK output contracted by 0.3% in Q4-2012 compared to the previous quarter, while US output did not grow. Topic: Economic situation, International economic relations, World economy
• Employment: Economic Indicators page Published 22 February 2013 | Standard notes SN02796 There were 29.73 million people aged 16 and over in employment in the UK in October-December 2012, an all-time high. The number of people in employment was up 154,000 on the previous quarter and up 584,000 on the previous year. The employment rate for people aged 16-64 was 71.5%, compared to a pre-recession level of 73.0% in March-May 2008. Topic: Economic situation, Employment
• Unemployment - National: Economic Indicators page Published 22 February 2013 | Standard notes SN02797 ILO unemployment in October-December 2012 was 2.50 million (7.8% of all economically active) – down 14,000 from the previous quarter. Topic: Unemployment