Economic policy

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on economic policy. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
24.05.2013Inflation: International: Economic indicators page
UK inflation was 2.4% in the year to April 2013, down from 2.8% in March. Eurozone inflation in the year to April 2013 was 1.2%, down from 1.7% in March.
23.05.2013Inflation: Economic Indicators page
Summary of latest inflation data from both the CPI and RPI inflation indexes.
17.05.2013Interest Rates and the Money Supply: Economic indicators page
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.
03.05.2013Japan's economy: from the 'lost decade' to Abenomics
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.
03.05.2013Economic aspects of Scottish independence: public spending
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.

Research Papers

DateDescription
12.09.2012Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill
This briefing has been prepared to inform the Second Reading debate on the Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill
30.08.2012European Union (Approval of Treaty Amendment Decision) Bill
This Bill enables the UK to ratify an amendment to Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
29.05.2012Inflation: the value of the pound 1750-2011
The Library is often asked how the purchasing power of the pound has changed over various periods. This Paper provides a composite index of prices from 1750 to 2011.
25.10.2010Postal Services Bill [Bill 78 of 2010-11]
This Paper has been prepared for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons of the Postal Services Bill. The Bill has four main parts. Part 1 provides for changes to the ownership structure of Royal Mail Holdings plc and its subsidiaries (including Post Office Ltd). Part 2 provides for Royal Mail's historic pension deficit to be transferred to government. Part 3 provides for changes in the regulatory arrangements for postal services and Part 4 provides for a 'special administration regime' should there be a risk to the universal postal service from the possibility of the provider becoming insolvent.
22.04.2009The financial crisis in the US: key events, causes and responses
The financial crisis in the US: key events, causes and responses House of Commons Library Research Paper 09/34

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
28.06.2011Rebalancing the economy: trade and investment.
Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee report [Commons]
20.06.2011Budget 2011.
Government response. Treasury Select Committee; Treasury; Office for Budget Responsibility report [Commons]
14.06.2011Finance Bill 2011.
Economic Affairs Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
27.04.2011Finance (No.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
16.09.2010Appointment of Robert Chote as Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
12.07.2011BANK OF ENGLAND AND MONEY SUPPLY
That this House notes that commercial banks have arrogated to themselves the right to create almost the entire UK money supply out of nothing in the form of a debt to them whenever ...
20.06.2011ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF E F SCHUMACHER
That this House notes the centenary of E F Schumacher's birth on 16 August 2011; recognises his outstanding contribution to economics; calls on the Government to implement his vision ...
20.01.2010PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND THE DEFICIT
That this House notes that in his interview in the Financial Times of 19 January 2010 the Chancellor of the Exchequer has admitted to a planned policy of 17 per cent. cuts in expenditure ...
19.11.2009PROFESSOR ELINOR OSTROM AND THE 2009 NOBEL PRIZE FOR ECONOMICS
That this House warmly welcomes the award of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Economics in October to the co-operative theorist and researcher, Professor Elinor Ostrom of Indiana University; ...
27.04.2009TAX REVENUE AND PUBLIC EXPENDITURE
That this House notes the real danger the country faces in borrowing relatively more than any other G8 country to balance the national accounts; is concerned that neither the Government ...

Lords Library Notes

DateDescription
21.03.2013Budget 2013: Reaction
This Library Note summarises reaction to the 2013 Budget Statement from a range of commentators and organisations.
06.12.2012Autumn Statement 2012: Reaction
This Library Note provides a brief summary of the key measures announced yesterday in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, before outlining the immediate reaction to the Statement as expressed by the Shadow Chancellor in the House of Commons and by a range of organisations and commentators.
19.10.2012Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill (HL Bill 43 of 2012-13)
The Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill would authorise the Government to provide financial assistance of up to £50 billion to support infrastructure projects. This Library Note summarises proceedings in the House of Commons on the Bill.
29.06.2012Debate on 5 July: The International Competitiveness of UK Industry, Exporting to Global Markets and Attracting Inward Investment
This Library Note provides background reading for the debate on 5 July on the international competitiveness of UK industry, exports and attracting inward investment.
15.06.2012Debate on 21 June: Economic Growth Strategy
This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the debate in the House of Lords on 21 June on the Government's growth strategy for the UK economy, summarising the measures so far announced by the Government and commentary on these measures and the UK economic situation from a range of commentators and observers.
22.03.2012Budget 2012: Reaction
This Library Note summarises reaction to the 2012 Budget Statement from a range of commentators and organisations.

POST Papers

DateDescription
17.09.2012Measuring National Wellbeing
This POSTnote summarises the latest research on measuring national wellbeing, its components and causes, and examines some policy implications.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords