Research briefings

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• Income tax: the new 50p tax rate Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN00249 In the 2009 Budget the Labour Government announced the introduction of a new 'additional' 50p rate on incomes above £150,000 from April 2010. This note discusses the debate there has been about the 50p rate, as to its political significance and its economic impact, and the Coalition Government's position on its continued existence. Topic: Economic policy, Taxation
• Housing Market: Economic Indicators page Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN02820 House prices on the Nationwide index fell by 0.2% in January. Prices were 0.6% higher in January compared with a year ago. House prices on the Halifax index fell by 0.9% in December having fallen by 1.0% in November. There were 23,410 house building starts in England in Q3 2011, down 1% from 23,610 in Q2 2011. There were 52,939 mortgage approvals in December. Topic: Economic situation, Housing
• Financial Indicators: Economic Indicators page Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN05207 Data on the FTSE-100 stock index, the price of oil and the price of gold. Topic: Economic situation
• Debate on 8 February: Blockade of Gaza Published 03 February 2012 | Library notes LLN 2012/002 This Library Note provides an overview of the blockade of Gaza by the Government of Israel, including its history, attempts to bypass the blockade and recent developments. It then examines the impact of the blockade on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and finally the response of the British Government. Topic: Human rights, International development, Middle East
• Interest Rates and the Money Supply: Economic indicators page Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN02802 At their January 2012 meeting, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted to maintain the Asset Purchase Programme (quantitative easing) at £275 billion. The Base Rate remains at 0.5%. Topic: Economic policy, Economic situation, Economic situation
• UK Trade statistics Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN06211 This note looks at UK trade and provides a summary of the key statistics behind the UK’s Balance of Trade. Topic: Economic policy, International trade
• Biomedical Patents Published 03 February 2012 | POST notes POST PN 401 This POSTnote considers how patent law is applied to biomedical inventions and examines the potential impact on patient access to diagnostic tests and innovation. Topic: Intellectual property, Medical ethics, Research and innovation
• Sources of statistics: opinion polls Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN06214 This note is intended as a guide to key sources for opinion poll statistics. It represents a self-help guide, providing a starting point for those interested in obtaining statistics for themselves. Topic: Elections
• The Groceries Code Adjudicator Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN06124 The Coalition Government is committed to establishing a new ombudsman within the Office of Fair Trading, to enforce the code of practice between the major supermarkets and their suppliers. In May 2011 the Government published a draft Bill to create the Groceries Code Adjudicator, and it intends bringing forward final legislation when parliamentary time allows. This note discusses the background to this proposal. Topic: Competition
• Local Government Finance Settlement 2012/13 Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN06213 Local Government Finance Settlement figures for 2012/13 were confirmed on 31 January 2012. This note provides analysis and allocations for individual authorities. Topic: Local government
• Climate Variability and Weather Published 03 February 2012 | POST notes POST PN 400 Short-term differences from long-term climate, or "climate variability", can increase the risk of damaging extreme weather events. This POSTnote examines the causes of climate variability and the use of global climate models to understand, and predict, these variations. Topic: Climate change
• Agriculture and Climate Change Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN03763 This note covers some predictions of the effect of climate change on UK agriculture and forestry Topic: Agriculture, Agriculture and environment, Climate change
• In brief: Eurozone crisis documents Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN06160 This note brings together in one place the key documents relating to the “fiscal compact” for the eurozone agreed at the informal European Council of 30 January 2012. Topic: Economic and monetary union, EU law and treaties
• Household Debt: Economic Indicators page Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN02885 There were 28,973 individual insolvencies in England and Wales in Q4, 2011. This was 5.6% lower than a year earlier. Topic: Economic situation, Financial services
• Pension lump sums Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN02181 Looks at the lump sum payments that can be made from a private pension, such as tax-free lump sum Topic: Pensions
• Constituency boundaries: the sixth general review Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN05929 This note gives details of the sixth general review of Parliamentary constituencies Topic: Elections
• The Warm Home Discount Scheme Published 03 February 2012 | Standard notes SN05956 The Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme runs from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2015 and offers a rebate on electricity bills, of £120 this year, rising to £140 in year 4. The Government expects around 2 million households to be assisted annually. The funding comes from the participating energy suppliers which they pass on to all consumers through energy bills. Topic: Electricity, Energy, Fuel poverty, Older people
• Palestinian elections? Published 02 February 2012 | Standard notes SN06212 A date of 4 May has been agreed for Palestinian legislative and presidential elections. Observers are unsure whether they will in fact take place on that date, as much depends on the fraught reconciliation negotiations between Hamas and Fatah. Topic: Elections, Middle East
• Honours Published 02 February 2012 | Standard notes SN02832 This Note sets out the current operation of the Honours system and summarises the results of earlier reviews. Topic: Central government, Crown
• Banking executives’ remuneration in the UK Published 02 February 2012 | Standard notes SN06204 this Note outlines some of the changes made to the structure, determination and publication of executive salaries, with particular reference to banks and other financial companies. Topic: Financial institutions, Financial services, Pay