Research Briefing
Can parliamentarians discuss the Royal Family?
There is no prohibition on criticising members of the Royal Family in Parliament, but MPs and peers are required to observe certain rules if they wish to do so.
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Insight
A visitor levy for English mayors?
The government is proposing to allow English mayors to introduce visitor levies/ ‘tourist taxes’ to help councils raise money to improve local economies.
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Debate Pack
St. Andrew’s day and Scottish Affairs
A general debate on St Andrew's day is scheduled to take place in the House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 11 December 2025. The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee and will be led by Graeme Downie MP.
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Research Briefing
Proxy voting in divisions in the House
On 23 September 2020, the House agreed to make the proxy voting scheme permanent, following the Procedure Committee's review of the pilot scheme. Temporary arrangements are in place to include long-term illness or injury as reasons for a proxy vote.
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Research Briefing
The impact of foreign interference on security, trade and democracy
A debate on the impact of foreign interference on security, trade and democracy is scheduled to take place in the House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 11 December 2025. The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee and will be led by James MacCleary MP
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Insight
Settling the United Kingdom border
It is a century since the United Kingdom’s border on the island of Ireland was settled by international treaty.
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Insight
Historic restrictions on members of the Catholic and Jewish faiths
The government says it will keep “under review” statutory restrictions on those of the Catholic and Jewish faiths advising the Crown on church appointments.
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Insight
Hybrid working and UK Government policy
27% of employees in Great Britain work partly from home, but hybrid working arrangements vary by organisation.
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Research Briefing
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly and UK delegations
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly provides a forum for parliamentarians from the NATO Member States to debate key defence and security challenges.
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Research Briefing
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26: progress of the bill
A briefing on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26 after House of Commons committee stage
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Research Briefing
Parliamentary sovereignty
A short research briefing on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, its origins and contemporary application.
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Research Briefing
Reserved matters in the United Kingdom
A briefing paper focusing on policy matters which remain "reserved" to Westminster following the devolution of certain executive and legislative powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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Research Briefing
The Armed Forces Covenant and its status in law
The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the government and the armed forces.
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Research Briefing
Supermajorities in UK government
Certain decisions in combined authorities, and in the devolved parliaments, require supermajorities (a higher threshold than a simple majority.)
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Insight
Supermajorities in UK government
Certain decisions in combined authorities, and in the devolved parliaments, require supermajorities (a higher threshold than a simple majority.)
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