Communities

Research Briefing

The future of Attendance Allowance

Friday, 27 January, 2017

This Commons Library Briefing Paper covers developments since the Government's announcement in December 2015 that it would consider “giving more responsibility to councils in England, and to Wales, to support older people with care needs – including people who, under the current system, would be supported through Attendance Allowance.” The proposal was dropped by the Government in January 2017. This paper gives background information on the Government’s proposals, the decision not to proceed with any changes, and reaction from local government and other stakeholders.

• Research Briefing
• Benefits policy
• Communities
• Community care
• Local government
• Sickness, disability and carers' benefits

Research Briefing

Small Charitable Donations and Childcare Payments Act 2017

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

The Small Charitable Donations and Childcare Payments Act 2017 makes a number of amendments to the legislation which underpins the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS), introduced in April 2013. The purpose of these changes is to simplify the scheme and extend access to smaller and newer charities. The Act also makes a few technical amendments to the legislation which establishes Tax-Free Childcare, the Government’s scheme to support parents’ childcare costs, scheduled to be rolled out from early 2017.

• Research Briefing
• Child care
• Communities
• Tax

Research Briefing

Older drivers

Wednesday, 11 January, 2017

This paper describes the licencing and medical fitness rules for drivers over the age of 70, and summarises recent Government statements on older drivers and the recommendations of the Older Drivers Task Force.

• Research Briefing
• Communities
• Roads

Research Briefing

Policing and Crime Bill – Lords Amendments

Monday, 09 January, 2017

The Policing and Crime Bill will return to the Commons for consideration of Lords Amendments on 10 January 2017. This paper looks at the main amendments, and briefly summarises the debate on them.

• Research Briefing
• Communities
• Crime
• Criminal law
• Police

Debate Pack

Effect on equality of the Autumn Statement 2016

Tuesday, 13 December, 2016

MPs will debate the effect on equality of the Autumn Statement 2016, on Wednesday 14 December 2016. This will be an Opposition Day debate. This House of Commons Library briefing provides a background summary and also press and parliamentary coverage.

• Debate Pack
• Benefits policy
• Children and families
• Communities
• Demography
• Family benefits
• Housing benefits
• Public spending
• Sickness, disability and carers' benefits
• Tax
• Work and incomes
• Working age benefits

Insight

Population estimates & GP registers: why the difference?

Monday, 12 December, 2016

• Insight
• Demography
• Health

Debate Pack

International Men’s Day

Wednesday, 16 November, 2016

On Thursday 17 November MPs will take part in a debate on International Men's Day. The debate will be opened by Philip Davies MP. This House of Commons Library briefing provides background and statistics as well as press and parliamentary coverage.

• Debate Pack
• Children and families
• Children's social services
• Civil law
• Communities
• Crime
• Education
• Equality
• Health
• Housing and planning
• Schools

Debate Pack

Opposition Day Debate: Social care

Tuesday, 15 November, 2016

MPs will debate social care funding on Wednesday 16 November 2016. This will be an Opposition Day debate. This Commons Library briefing page contains Library briefings, independent and select committee reports.

• Debate Pack
• Communities
• Community care

Research Briefing

Scamming and its effect on vulnerable individuals

Tuesday, 06 September, 2016

A backbench business debate is being held on 8 September 2016 on scamming and its effect on vulnerable individuals. This paper explores the different types of scams, regulation and what can be done to combat this threat.

• Research Briefing
• Communities
• Consumers
• Crime
• Pensions

Insight

Childhood obesity: an inequality issue

Monday, 05 September, 2016

• Insight
• Communities
• Health

Research Briefing

Should Fire and Rescue Services have a statutory duty to deal with flooding?

Friday, 27 May, 2016

The Fire Brigades Union is campaigning for a statutory duty for firefighters to attend floods. There is an online petition, and the issue has been debated in Parliament. This Briefing Paper sets out the background and the arguments.

• Research Briefing
• Communities

Research Briefing

The Warm Home Discount Scheme

Thursday, 05 May, 2016

This Commons Library briefing paper provides historical background information on the Warm Home Discount scheme (WHD).

• Research Briefing
• Communities
• Energy

Research Briefing

Policing and Crime Bill: Committee Stage Report

Friday, 22 April, 2016

The Policing and Crime Bill is due to have its report stage and Legislative Grand Committee on 26 April 2016. This Briefing Paper provides an overview of the debate so far.

• Research Briefing
• Communities
• Criminal law
• Police

Research Briefing

NHS Scotland Statistics

Tuesday, 15 March, 2016

How does the NHS perform in Scotland? Key statistics and trends on A&E waiting times, ambulance performance, waiting times (including for diagnostic tests, cancer and mental health), workforce, bed occupancy, delayed discharges, healthcare associated infections and health expenditure

• Research Briefing
• Communities
• Health
• Health services

Research Briefing

Privatisation of Royal Mail

Thursday, 10 March, 2016

This note sets out the background and recent events concerning the privatisation of Royal Mail. The privatisation of Royal Mail has taken place in three parts – the majority of the company was disposed of in 2013 and the sales of the remaining parts were in June and October 2015.

• Research Briefing
• Communities