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
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 02.08.2013 | Exchange rates: Economic Indicators page |
| This page shows recent data on the value of the pound relative to other major international currencies. | |
| 02.08.2013 | Interest Rates and the Money Supply: Economic indicators page |
| Latest official interest rates from the UK, euro zone and the US; a summary of the Bank of England's quantitative easing policy; and the latest money supply data for the UK. | |
| 31.07.2013 | Inflation: International: Economic indicators page |
| Eurozone inflation is expected to be 1.6% in the year to July 2013, unchanged from June. UK inflation was 2.9% in the year to June 2013, up from 2.7% in May. | |
| 19.07.2013 | The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) |
| A short briefing on the background, process and features of the proposed EU-US free trade agreement, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership | |
| 18.07.2013 | Inflation: Economic Indicators page |
| Summary of latest inflation data from both the CPI and RPI inflation indices. |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 01.07.2013 | Leaving the EU |
| The Treaty on European Union provides for a Member State to leave the EU, either on the basis of a negotiated withdrawal agreement or without one. If the UK were to leave the EU following a referendum, it is likely that the Government would negotiate an agreement with the EU, which would probably contain transitional arrangements as well as provide for the UK's long-term future relations with the EU. There is no precedent for such an agreement, but it would in all likelihood come at the end of complex and lengthy negotiations. | |
| 12.09.2012 | Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill |
| This briefing has been prepared to inform the Second Reading debate on the Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill | |
| 30.08.2012 | European 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 | |
| 29.05.2012 | Inflation: 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. | |
| 25.10.2010 | Postal 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. |
Select Committee Reports
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 28.06.2011 | Rebalancing the economy: trade and investment. |
| Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 20.06.2011 | Budget 2011. |
| Government response. Treasury Select Committee; Treasury; Office for Budget Responsibility report [Commons] | |
| 14.06.2011 | Finance Bill 2011. |
| Economic Affairs Select Committee (HL) report [Lords] | |
| 27.04.2011 | Finance (No. |
| Treasury Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 16.09.2010 | Appointment of Robert Chote as Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility. |
| Treasury Select Committee report [Commons] |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 12.07.2011 | BANK 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 ... | |
| 20.06.2011 | ANNIVERSARY 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 ... | |
| 20.01.2010 | PUBLIC 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 ... | |
| 19.11.2009 | PROFESSOR 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; ... | |
| 27.04.2009 | TAX 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
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 12.07.2013 | Debate on 18 July: Role of Government in Generating Economic Prosperity and Employment |
| This Note outlines recent data on the performance of the UK economy, announcements by the Government for capital spending, spending on research and development and action to help businesses gain access to funding. It also looks at proposals for the Government to take more of a role in managing growth, in particular whether the UK needs a more coherent and long-term industrial strategy. | |
| 21.03.2013 | Budget 2013: Reaction |
| This Library Note summarises reaction to the 2013 Budget Statement from a range of commentators and organisations. | |
| 06.12.2012 | Autumn 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. | |
| 19.10.2012 | Infrastructure (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. | |
| 29.06.2012 | Debate 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. | |
| 15.06.2012 | Debate 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. |
POST Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 17.09.2012 | Measuring National Wellbeing |
| This POSTnote summarises the latest research on measuring national wellbeing, its components and causes, and examines some policy implications. |
