Research briefings

This page provides access to research briefings produced by the House of Commons Library, the House of Lords Library and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). You can filter the research briefings by date, type, or one of 350 topics. Pick your options from the dropdown menus.

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    Glossary

    • Commons Briefing papers: Papers providing in-depth and impartial analysis on every major piece of primary legislation and on other topics of public and parliamentary concern. Regular statistics papers are also published.
    • Lords Library Notes: Authored publications by the research section of the House of Lords Library that provide analysis of Bills, subjects for debate in the House and other issues of interest to Members.
    • POSTbriefs: Responsive policy briefings from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology based on mini-literature reviews and peer review, typically commissioned by select committees and library research services.
    • POSTnotes: Proactive four-page policy briefings from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology based on reviews of the research literature, interviews with stakeholders and peer review, commissioned by the POST Board.
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    Topics

    Topics: Research material can be filtered by subject using the topic terms. The topics are arranged in a taxonomy (a hierarchical classification) and can be further filtered using sub-topics.

Displaying 61-80 out of 8428

Unemployment - International Comparisons: Key Economic Indicators
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN02800
Unemployment: International Comparisons: Data on harmonised unemployment rates for major international economies.

Topics: Economic situation, International economic relations, Unemployment

Climate Change and Vector-Borne Disease in Humans in the UK
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | POSTnotes POST-PN-0597
A POSTnote that summarises the latest data on vector-borne disease in the UK, explores how climate may influence the geographical distribution of species, examines the consequences for public health, and highlights potential adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Topics: Animal diseases, Climate change, Diseases, Health education and preventive medicine, Health services, Medicine, Research and innovation, Science

The review of university admissions
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-8538
This House of Commons briefing paper discusses the university admissions system and the review of admissions practices which was announced by the Education Secretary on 5 April 2019. The paper focuses on the use of predicted grades for university admissions, the increase in unconditional offers by universities and issues around a post qualification admissions system.

Topics: Higher education, Students

Service industries: Key Economic Indicators
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN02786
Service industries: Data for the sector that incorporates the retail sector, the financial sector, the public sector, business administration and cultural activities.

Topics: Economic situation, Service industries

Components of GDP: Key Economic Indicators
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN02787
Components of GDP: data on the components that make up GDP, including household consumption, government spending, investment, trade and output by sector.

Topic: Economic situation

Trade: Key Economic Indicators
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN02815
Latest statistics on UK's trade performance and balance of payments

Topics: Economic situation, International trade

"No-fault divorce"
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN01409
This Commons Library briefing paper considers the current basis for divorce, arguments for and against the introduction of "no-fault" divorce, and the Government's proposals to reform the legal requirements for divorce

Topic: Divorce

General Debate on the definition of Islamophobia
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2019-0086
A general debate on the definition of Islamophobia will take place in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 11 April 2019.

Topics: Religion and faith communities, Religious discrimination

Pensions: civil partnerships and same sex marriages
Published Wednesday, April 10, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN03035
This note looks at the way in which forming a civil partnership affects rights to state, occupational and personal pensions and at the relevant provisions in the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

Topics: Civil partnerships, Equality, Pensions

Intellectual Property and Sport
Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 | Lords Library notes LLN-2019-0044
The House of Lords Library briefing provides information on World Intellectual Property Day, marked on 26 April each year.

Topics: Broadcasting, Intellectual property, Research and innovation, Sports and Olympic Games

Legal aid for representation at an inquest.
Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN04358
Legal aid for representation at an inquest is generally only available through the “exceptional funding” criteria of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, which came into force on 1 April 2013.

Topics: Civil law, Coroners, Legal aid, Legal profession

Brexit and medicines regulation
Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-8148
This briefing paper provides an overview of current medicines regulation in the UK and EU, Brexit negotiations so far on this issue, and views on future regulation. It also discusses the potential impacts of a no deal Brexit scenario, and Government preparations for these.

Topics: Diseases, EU institutions, EU law and treaties, Health services, Medicine, Research and innovation

Preparing for the 2021 census (England and Wales)
Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-8531
A population census takes place in the UK every ten years, and preparations for the 2021 census are underway. This briefing paper explains the proposals for the census in England and Wales.

Topic: Census

Probate fees
Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7929
This Commons Library briefing paper considers the Government's proposals to reform probate fees by using a statutory power to charge fees set above cost recovery levels

Topics: Death, Wills and intestacy

Banking scams
Published Tuesday, April 9, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-8545
This briefing answers frequently asked questions about banking scams, and describes: the scale of the problem; the types of scam; what help is available for victims; and, government and industry action.

Topics: Consumers, Financial services, Internet and cybercrime

Devolution of welfare
Published Monday, April 8, 2019 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2019-0084
This House of Commons Library Debate Pack briefing has been prepared in advance of a debate on “devolution of welfare” to take place on Tuesday 9 April 2019. The subject was determined by the Backbench Business Committee following an application by John Lamont MP. The debate is expected to focus on Scotland.

Topics: Benefits administration, Benefits policy

British Steel Pension Scheme
Published Monday, April 8, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-8288
An overview to recent debates on the British Steel Pension Scheme
Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Published Monday, April 8, 2019 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2019-0085
A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Jallianwala Bagh massacre’ has been scheduled for Tuesday 9 April 2019 from 2.30pm to 4.00pm. The debate has been initiated by Bob Blackman MP.

Topic: Asia

LGBT rights in Brunei
Published Monday, April 8, 2019 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2019-0091
A Westminster Hall debate on ‘LGBT rights in Brunei’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 10 April 2019 from 4.30-5.30pm. The debate has been initiated by Thangam Debbonaire MP.

Topics: Asia, Human rights

Pension freedoms and 'safeguarded benefits'
Published Sunday, April 7, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-8382
Looks at the requirement to take advice for pension scheme members seeking to transfer or convert 'safeguarded benefits' (such as defined benefits) worth more than £30,000 into 'flexible benefits'

Topic: Pensions

Displaying 61-80 out of 8428

About libraries

House of Commons Library

The House of Commons Library provides research, analysis and information services for MPs and their staff.

House of Lords Library

The House of Lords Library delivers research and information services to Members and staff of the House in support of parliamentary business.

POST

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology produces independent, balanced and accessible briefings on public policy issues related to science and technology.

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