Research Briefing
There has been a lot of controversy about the Prawer-Begin plan to relocate some of Israel’s semi-nomadic Bedouin population to approved towns, with the UN Human Rights Council saying that it violates Bedouin rights and is discriminatory. In December it was announced that the bill would be substantially amended after opposition from both left- and right-wing politicians in the Knesset.
Research Briefing
The UK charity collects money for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and in Lebanon and Jordan. It has been the subject of controversy because of allegations that money distributed by it has gone to promote terrorism. After some delays it has been cleared by the Charity Commission, but it is still a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organisation, on the US Treasury’s list.
Research Briefing
The Care Bill would consolidate existing legislation for adult social care in England into a single framework, and introduce reforms to the way care and support is accessed and funded. It also includes reforms to the regulation of health services and care standards.
Research Briefing
Remote gambling operators currently need a licence in Britain only if they have equipment located here. The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill would move the regulation of remote gambling to a ‘point of consumption’ basis so that all remote operators would need a licence from the Gambling Commission to enable them to transact with British customers and advertise in Britain. The Government believes this will increase protection for British customers as well as enabling British-based operators to compete on an equal footing with other remote operators.
Research Briefing
The note summarises the last Labour Government’s policies on postal services before outlining the main provisions in the Postal Services Act 2011 that was bought in by the Coalition Government. Subsequent developments are set out in two further Standard Notes on Privatisation of the Royal Mail (SN/EP/06668) and on the Post Office: recent developments (SN/EP/06718).
Research Briefing
This note covers the development of the Firefighters' Pension Schemes and current reform issues
Research Briefing
This note looks at the development of the Royal Mail Pension Plan and the Government's decision to take responsibility for its historic deficit.
Research Briefing
At present public postal services are exempt from VAT, though the European Commission has argued that this hinders competition in postal services across the EU. This note looks at the prospects for reform.
Research Briefing
This note examines the controversy over reports that Cleveland Fire Brigade is proposing becoming a "Public Service Mutual", with Government support.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper has now been superseded by RP14-10, which summarises Census data for all UK constituencies.
Research Briefing
This note outlines how the insurance industry operates within the law on discrimination, particularly with respect to age and sex discrimination.
Research Briefing
This note gives information on the Government’s review of the Prevent strategy, a collection of initiatives aimed at tackling religious extremism, which was inherited from the previous Government. It outlines the new strategy and includes information on the integration work led by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Research Briefing
Prior to July 2012, video (or “computer”) games were classified under two systems: (voluntarily) under the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) scheme and (in certain cases, compulsorily) by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). In response to recommendations in the Byron Review on child safety, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport consulted on options for strengthening classifications.
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