Research Briefing
The Ombudsman- the developing role in the UK
This Note is designed to provide background on the work of the Ombudsman, and examines recent developments in the role.
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Research Briefing
Localisation of the Social Fund
As a result of measures in the Welfare Reform Act 2012, certain elements of the discretionary Social Fund scheme will be replaced by new locally based provision delivered by local authorities in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
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Research Briefing
US Elections 2012
Statistical summary of the 2012 US Presidential election, including detailed results of Presidential, Senate and Hosue of Representatives elections
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Research Briefing
Referendums on the European Union
This Note charts the referendums on EU matters held in candidate and Member States since 1972, with brief details on turnout and results.
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Research Briefing
Individual ministerial accountability
This Note looks at the recent debate on the question of individual ministerial responsibility in the context of civil service reform and civil service capability.
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Research Briefing
Growth and Infrastructure Bill
The Growth and Infrastructure Bill seeks to reduce delays in the planning system and to facilitate new development, through various means. It would allow planning obligations (section 106 agreements) relating to affordable housing to be renegotiated. To promote economic growth, it makes provision for a planned revaluation of business rates in England to be postponed and to create a new employment status of employee owner. Its second reading date has been moved from 30 October to 5 November 2012.
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Research Briefing
Holtham Commission
This note outlines the main recommendations from the Holtham Commission's final report, briefly summarises the Commission’s first report and includes reaction from the Welsh Assembly and UK Government to the Commission’s recommendations.
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Research Briefing
Revised proposals for new constituency boundaries
The number of parliamentary constituencies in the UK will fall from 650 to 600 as part of the current boundary review. Revised proposals for new constituencies were published by the Boundary Commission for Scotland on 13 September 2012 and by the Boundary Commissions for England and Northern Ireland on 16 October 2012. This note looks at how the revised proposals differ from the initial proposals published last year and the extent to which proposed constituencies can be identified with existing seats.
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Research Briefing
Non-domiciled donors-Political Parties and Elections Act 2009
This standard note briefly discusses non-domiciled donors in relation to the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009
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Research Briefing
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill: Committee Stage Report
This is a report on the Public Bill Committee Stage of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill. It is designed to complement the Research Paper Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill (RP 12/33), which covers in more detail the background to the Bill
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Research Briefing
House of Lords Reform Bill 2012-13: decision not to proceed
The House of Lords Reform Bill 2012-13 had its second reading in the Commons on 9 and 10 July 2012. While the vote on second reading was won, 91 Conservative Members voted against, and the Government did not move its programme motion, meaning that the Bill was not sent to committee. On 6 August 2012 Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced that the Bill would not proceed further. On 3 September 2012 he confirmed that it had been withdrawn. This Note summarises the events leading to the abandonment of the Bill, and considers Lord Steel’s House of Lords (Cessation of Membership) Bill, which some see as a more modest alternative.
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Research Briefing
Zimbabwe: recent political developments
This note surveys developments since the beginning of 2011, during which time implementation of the 2008 Global Political Agreement has remained painfully limited. Halting progress is being made towards agreement on a new Constitution, but there remains a real possibility that President Robert Mugabe and his ruling ZANU-PF might abandon the negotiations and opt for early elections under the old Constitution, which greatly favours them. Elections are due by June 2013. Zimbabwe's political prospects remain highly uncertain.
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Research Briefing
Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill
This briefing has been prepared for the Second Reading of the Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill on 14 September 2012. The Bill is sponsored by Gavin Barwell MP, who was fourth in the 2012-13 ballot for Private Members’ Bills.
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Research Briefing
UK Election Statistics: 1918-2012
This paper presents an overview of results from UK elections since 1918, including elections to the House of Commons, the European Parliament, devolved bodies and local government.
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Research Briefing
Arab uprisings: an update
Two of the three countries that have had elections since the Arab uprisings – Tunisia and Egypt – have seen mainstream and more radical Islamists dominating. In Libya, the third of the three, a pragmatic and relatively secular politician who had been former Prime Minister during the rebellion did well. It is still early to know what these new governments will do.
Total results (page 128 of 162)