Research Briefing
The parties’ schools policy commitments 2015
This note collates the public commitments regarding schools policy in England made by the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP and Green Party.
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Research Briefing
Further proposals to restrict migrants’ access to benefits
In his keynote speech on immigration on 28 November 2014, the Prime Minister set out plans to secure agreement on changes to European law on free movement of persons in order to allow the UK to, among other things, deny EEA migrants in-work benefits for four years and prevent Child Benefit being paid for children living abroad. Proposals to further restrict EEA migrants’ access to benefits have also been put forward by Labour and by the Liberal Democrats.
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Research Briefing
The Parties’ housing policy commitments 2015
This note collates public commitments made on housing policy by the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, UKIP and the Green Party ahead of the publication of the parties' 2015 election manifestos.
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Research Briefing
Waiting Times for Hospital Treatment
How long do patients wait for hospital treatment after referral by a GP? Under the NHS Constitution for England, patients have a legal right to start consultant-led treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral for non-urgent conditions. This note presents data, charts and maps on the number of people treated, waiting times by NHS area team and NHS provider, and data on individual treatment specialisms.
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Research Briefing
The Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) 1990-99
This note provides background to the Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) and an assessment of its impact in England between 1990 and 1999.
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Research Briefing
2014 Research Excellence Framework
Since 1986 block grant funding for university researrch has been selectively distributed to institutions using data obtained in some form of research assessment process. Results of the most recent process - the Research Excellence Framework (REF) were announced in December 2014. This note discusses the REF and issues around it.
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Research Briefing
Cancer: Waiting Times for Diagnosis and Treatment
How long do patients wait for cancer diagnosis and treatment? This note outlines NHS performance trends relating to cancer testing, treatment and care. In 2014 there were 1.5m urgent GP referrals with suspected cancer. This is 53% higher than in 2010. 272,000 patients began treatment for cancer, up 12% on 2010. Of these, 129,000 had previously been urgently referred by their GP, up 25% on 2010.
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Research Briefing
Further devolution of powers to Scotland: devolved benefits and additional discretionary payments
Examines the Smith Commission’s proposals to devolve responsibility to the Scottish Parliament for certain key benefits, such as disability and carers' benefits. It also looks at the Draft Scotland Clauses in this area.
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Research Briefing
Taxation of Pensions Bill – debates in Parliament
A guide to debates in Parliament on the Taxation of Pensions Bill 2014-15
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Research Briefing
Pension Schemes Bill 2014-15 – House of Lords stages
A guide to the debates on the Pension Schemes Bill 2014-15 in the House of Lords
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Research Briefing
Local housing authorities – the self-financing regime: progress and issues
This note explains the implications of local housing authorities (with retained stock) moving to a self-financing regime from April 2012. It considers what use authorities are making of their new financial freedoms, the case for some continuing restrictions (borrowing caps) to be lifted and the impact of this on new council house builds. [NOTE: this paper is out of date and will not be updated. For more up to date information see Library paper CBP08963 A new era for social rented housing in England?]
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Research Briefing
Further devolution of powers to Scotland: Universal Credit housing element and payment arrangements
This note explains the Smith Commission’s proposals and the Draft Scotland Clauses in relation to Universal Credit (UC), including the housing costs element (currently Housing Benefit). As it stands, UC will remain a reserved benefit but the Scottish Parliament would be given the power to vary the housing costs element of UC, and powers to vary the manner and frequency of UC payments.
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Research Briefing
Smoking: standardised packaging and smoking rates in England
The Government announced on 21 January 2015 that they will bring forward legislation on standardised packaging on tobacco products. The intention, subject to the agreement of Parliament, is that the Regulations be made before Parliament dissolves for the election. This follows a 2012 public consultation, an independent public health review and a further consultation on
Total results (page 172 of 219)