Flood risk management and funding
This briefing paper provides an overview of flood and coastal risk management in the UK, including which bodies manage risk, current policy on flood risk management, and how flood funding works.
Petrol and diesel prices
Petrol and diesel prices hit record highs in July 2022. They had fallen back substantially, but have spiked since the start of the Middle East conflict.
North Sea oil and gas
A briefing on North Sea oil and gas in the UK and its impact on energy security, the economy and jobs, and the climate and the environment.
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Research Briefing
Student numbers: In short
The UK student population has grown substantially since the mid-1990s. However, in recent years there has been downturn, partly due to new visa rules for overseas students.
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Research Briefing
Domestic energy prices: In short
What are current energy prices? How and why have they changed over time? Does the UK have the highest domestic energy prices in Europe?
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Research Briefing
Energy standing charges
What are standing charges? How have they changed over time? How and why do they vary? What proposals does the regulator Ofgem have for lowering them?
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Research Briefing
Higher education finances and funding in England
This briefing covers how higher education is funded, concerns about providers' financial stability, alternative funding models, and international comparisons.
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Research Briefing
Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and UK national security
The government published its national security assessment on Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security in January 2026. A debate on the assessment, introduced by Adrian Ramsay, is due to take place in Westminster Hall on 3 September 2026.
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Research Briefing
Gas and electricity prices during the ‘energy crisis’ and beyond
Energy prices have fallen since summer 2023, but are still well above pre-'energy crisis' levels and there is little prospect of large cuts to bills in the near future.
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Research Briefing
Households off the gas-grid and prices for alternative fuels
How many households use fuels other than mains gas and how have prices of these fuels changed in recent years?
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Research Briefing
Clean power targets
By 2030, the government aims to meet Britain’s electricity demand with energy from clean sources. 66% of British electricity currently comes from clean sources.
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Research Briefing
Contracts for Difference Scheme
The Contracts for Difference scheme supports new low carbon infrastructure. This briefing gives an overview of the CfD scheme and statistics on the projects it has delivered.
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Research Briefing
Student loan statistics
Different Governments have shifted support for higher education towards loans. The scale of lending has led to concerns about debt burden of debt, high interest rates and costs to the taxpayer.
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Research Briefing
Student support for undergraduates across the UK in 2026/27
How much student finance is available to undergraduate higher education students in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in 2026/27?
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Research Briefing
The UK’s plans and progress to reach net zero by 2050
The UK is committed to reaching net zero by 2050. This briefing provides an overview of the background context for net zero, the plans in place to reach this goal, and current progress.
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