• Research Briefing

    Employment law reform

    The Coalition Agreement outlined a policy commitment to review employment law. . A number of significant changes to employment law have been or are due to be implemented by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 and Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013. This note provides an outline of the changes.

  • Research Briefing

    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.

  • Research Briefing

    Digital Economy Act 2010: Copyright

    The Digital Economy Act 2010 received Royal Assent at the very end of the last Parliament. Sections 3 to 18 of the Act cover online infringement of copyright. Several provisions have proved controversial and have not yet been implemented.

  • Research Briefing

    Water bills and rateable values

    Members of the public often contact their water company or MP complaining that their water bill is much higher than their neighbour’s because of differences to the rateable value of the properties. However, rateable values cannot be changed. Opting for a water meter might be the best option for households seeking to reduce their water bill.

  • Research Briefing

    The Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property

    This note considers, on the basis of published Impact Assessments, which of the Hargreaves recommendations would require primary, and which secondary, legislation. At Committee stage of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill 2012-13, the Government added two new clauses to the Bill which appear to be a first move toward implementing Hargreaves. These enabling measures, affecting so-called “orphan works” and extended collective licensing, are now enshrined in the 2013 Act but will not take effect until the necessary regulations have been developed, opened to public consultation and approved by Parliament.

  • Research Briefing

    Water bills in the south-west

    This note provides information on water bills in the south-west, which are significantly higher than in other parts of England. It describes the Government’s solution to the problem: a payment allowing a £50 reduction of South West Water customer bills from April 2013.

  • Research Briefing

    The Water Bill

    The Government plans to introduce a Water Bill in this parliamentary session. It will probably focus on increasing competition in the water sector, and it will also aim to deliver other objectives including the provision of flood insurance, the better management of water supplies and more sustainable water abstraction.

  • Research Briefing

    EU Consumer Rights Directive

    This note provides a summary of the background to the CRD and an outline of its main provisions. It also considers how the Directive will be implemented in the UK and its implication for existing legislation. Detailed information on the Government’s proposal for a new Consumer Bill of Rights is provided in a separate Library note, SN/HA/6588 dated 21 March 2013.

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