• Debate Pack

    Debate on an e-petition on a tax on sugary drinks

    This pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on A tax on sugary drinks in Westminster Hall on Monday 30 November 2015 at 4.30pm. The subject of this debate has been chosen by the Petitions Committee and will consider ePetition 106651: Introduce a tax on sugary drinks in the UK to improve our children's health. Experts believe a tax of just 7p per regular-sized can of soft drink with added sugar could generate £1 billion per year. We believe this crucial revenue should be ring-fenced to support much needed preventative strategies in the NHS and schools around childhood obesity and diet-related disease. The Government responded: The Government has no plans to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The Government will announce its plans for tackling childhood obesity by the end of the year.

  • Research Briefing

    Paris Climate Conference: greenhouse gas emissions

    In December this year, representatives of 196 countries will attempt to reach an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the aim of limiting global temperatures increase to less than 2 degrees. If this Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris is successful it will be the first time, from 2020, that both

  • Debate Pack

    Preparations for the Paris Climate Change Conference

    This Debate Pack has been complied ahead of the Backbench Business Debate on Preparations for the Paris Climate Change Conference to be held in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 19 November 2015. Debate packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for MPs on request to the Library.

  • Debate Pack

    Debate Pack: Dog meat trade

    This debate pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on the dog meat trade to be held on Thursday 5 November 2015 in the Commons Chamber. This debate has arisen on a Backbench Business Committee motion. The Member in charge of the debate is Robert Flello. Debate packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for MPs on request to the Library.

  • Research Briefing

    Will the wheels fall off the diesel car boom in the UK?

    Allegations by the US Environmental Protection Agency that Volkswagen distorted the results of emissions tests on diesel cars caused the company’s share price to fall significantly at the beginning of this week, and has raised questions about the veracity of emissions testing across the world. These allegations have also thrown the spot-light on one of

  • Debate Pack

    Debate Pack: Reform of Common Fisheries Policy

    This debate pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy to be held on Thursday 10 September 2015 at 3pm in Westminster Hall. The Member in charge of the debate is Rt. Hon. Mr Alistair Carmichael MP. Debate packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for MPs on request to the Library.

  • Research Briefing

    Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), 2014-2020

    A reformed Common fisheries Policy took effect from 1 January 2014 following on from several years of negotiation. The key reforms to the CFP, include a phased in ban on discarding fish (effective as of 1 January 2015); a legally binding commitment to fishing at sustainable levels; and increasingly decentralised decision making, taking place at regional rather than pan-European level. This note covers the proposals for reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), negotiations and decisions implementing the reforms.