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 8289

The Pensions Regulator: Powers to protect pension benefits
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN04368
Looks at the Pensions Regulator's powers to protect pension scheme benefits and proposals to strengthen these in the March 2018 White Paper

Topics: Companies, Competition, Pensions

Free TV licences for the over-75s
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN04955
This Briefing Paper looks at the future of free TV licences for the over-75s

Topic: Broadcasting

Debate on a Motion relating to the UK's withdrawal from the EU
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2019-0034
A debate on a Motion relating to the UK's withdrawal from the EU has been scheduled for Thursday 14 February 2019 in the Main Chamber.

Topics: EU institutions, EU law and treaties, Parliament

Housing Market: Key Economic Indicators
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN02820
Housing market: Data on house prices, mortgage approvals and house-building.

Topics: Economic situation, Housing

Voting age
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN01747
Under current legislation, a person must be 18 or over to vote in elections to the UK Parliament. This Note gives details of calls for a change in the law to reduce the voting age to 16 in recent years.

Topics: Elections, Electoral franchise

Inflation: Key Economic Indicators
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN02792
Inflation: Data on both the CPI and RPI inflation indices.

Topics: Economic policy, Economic situation

Alcohol taxation and the pub trade
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN01373
This note looks at the way alcoholic drinks are taxed, the Labour Government's introduction of a 'duty escalator' in 2008, and the concerns in the pub trade at the impact of this policy. It goes on to discuss the Coalition Government decision to remove the duty escalator in two stages in 2013 and 2014, and the current Government's approach to the taxation of alcohol.

Topic: Taxation

Inflation: International: Key Economic Indicators
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN02794
Inflation: International: Harmonised Index of Comsumer Prices data on international inflation rates.

Topics: Economic policy, Economic situation, World economy

Ongoing Brexit Discussions with the European Union
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Lords Briefing packs LBP-2019-0015
This Briefing Pack contains a selection of material relevant for the debate on two motions on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, expected to be taken together on 13 February 2019. It includes a briefing produced by the Library in preparation for this debate on 9 February 2019, which was published before the exact wording of the debate motion was known, and supplements it with additional material, including a statement made by the Prime Minister on 12 February 2019.

Topics: EU law and treaties, Europe, International law

Unemployment - International Comparisons: Key Economic Indicators
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers SN02800
Unemployment: International Comparisons: Data on harmonised unemployment rates for major international economies.

Topics: Economic situation, International economic relations, Unemployment

Extending Article 50: could Brexit be delayed?
Published Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-8496
With six weeks to go before the UK is due to leave the EU and no Withdrawal Agreement as yet approved by the House of Commons, there have been calls for the Government to request an Article 50 extension from the EU to delay Brexit day. Under what scenarios could an Article 50 extension be agreed with the EU? And could this lead to the UK taking part in the European Parliament elections?

Topics: Central government, Elections, EU institutions, EU law and treaties, Europe, International law, Legislative process, Parliament

Probate fees
Published Tuesday, February 12, 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

Adult Social Care Funding (England)
Published Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7903
This Commons Library briefing paper examines the key funding pressures facing adult social care services in England and evidence of the impacts of these pressures on social care and health services. The paper explains the additional short-term, ring-fenced funding that has been committed to adult social care between 2016/17 and 2019/20, and outlines concerns about a social care funding gap and financial uncertainty post 2020.

Topics: Community care, Local government, Older people

Human Rights in the UK
Published Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2019-0031
On 13 February 2019 there will be a debate on human rights in the UK, sponsored by Tommy Sheppard, MP

Topic: Human rights

Health implications of sunbed use
Published Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2019-0037
This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall from 9.30-11am on Wednesday 13 February 2019 on the health implications of sunbed use. The debate will be opened by Pauline Latham MP.

Topic: Health education and preventive medicine

Teacher recruitment and retention in England
Published Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7222
This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper provides information on the recruitment and retention of teachers in England, including the Government's recently published Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy. It also gives an overview of attempts to reduce teacher workload.

Topics: Schools, Teachers

House of Lords: Largest Votes Recorded
Published Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | Lords Library notes LLN-2018-0048
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information about the largest votes that have taken place in the House of Lords.

Topics: House of Lords, Parliamentary procedure

Proxy voting in divisions in the House
Published Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-8359
On 28 January 2019, the House agreed a Temporary Standing Order in order to pilot the use of proxy voting in divisions of the House for parental absence (baby leave). On 13 September 2018, there was a general debate on proxy voting. This followed recommendations from the Procedure Committee on how a proxy voting system could be introduced for Members who had babies or adopted.

Topics: Members of Parliament, Parliament, Parliamentary procedure

Prisoners' voting rights: developments since May 2015
Published Monday, February 11, 2019 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7461
This House of Commons Briefing Paper analyses the debate over the voting rights of prisoners since May 2015, it also includes a concise summary of the main developments before May 2015.

Topics: Elections, Human rights, Prisons

Connecting Communities by Supporting Charities and Volunteers
Published Monday, February 11, 2019 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2019-0035
Connecting Communities by Supporting Charities and Volunteers

Topics: Charities, Voluntary organisations

Displaying 61-80 out of 8289

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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