Research briefings

This page provides access to research briefings produced by the House of Commons Library, the House of Lords Library and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). You can filter the research briefings by date, type, or one of 350 topics. Pick your options from the dropdown menus.

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    Glossary

    • Commons Briefing papers: Papers providing in-depth and impartial analysis on every major piece of primary legislation and on other topics of public and parliamentary concern. Regular statistics papers are also published.
    • Lords Library Notes: Authored publications by the research section of the House of Lords Library that provide analysis of Bills, subjects for debate in the House and other issues of interest to Members.
    • POSTbriefs: Responsive policy briefings from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology based on mini-literature reviews and peer review, typically commissioned by select committees and library research services.
    • POSTnotes: Proactive four-page policy briefings from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology based on reviews of the research literature, interviews with stakeholders and peer review, commissioned by the POST Board.
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    Topics

    Topics: Research material can be filtered by subject using the topic terms. The topics are arranged in a taxonomy (a hierarchical classification) and can be further filtered using sub-topics.

Displaying 1-20 out of 5837

Conventions on the relationship between the House of Commons and House of Lords
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN05996
This House of Commons Library briefing paper sets out the conventions on the relationship between the two Houses of Parliament and their origins. On 4 November 2015 the Leader of the House of Lords announced the terms of reference of the Government's review into how to secure the decisive role of the elected House of Commons in the passage of legislation. This briefing paper also sets out the background to the review.

Topics: Parliament, Constitution, House of Lords, House of Commons

Regulation of fireworks
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN05704
Throughout the year, fireworks are widely used to mark public and private celebrations, as well as traditional events. As explosives, there are strict rules in place in the UK regulating the sale, possession and use of fireworks. The purpose of this note is to provide an overview of the current legislative provisions regulating the supply and use of fireworks.

Topic: Consumers

TV licence fee non-payment: decriminalising the offence
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN06860
At present, using a television receiver without a valid licence can lead to prosecution, a court appearance and a fine of up to £1,000. Should it cease to be a criminal offence? Some parliamentarians think so. The BBC thinks not. An independent report has looked into this and recommended no change.

Topics: Criminal law, Broadcasting, Civil law

Scotland Bill 2015-16: Committee stage report
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7233
This Briefing Paper gives an update on the Scotland Bill 2015-16 after Committee stage. No opposition amendments were made at Committee stage. The Government has produced substantive amendments of its own for Report.

Topics: Taxation, Devolution, Scottish Parliament

Children and Mental Health
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Lords In Focus LIF-2015-0042
This In Focus note examines mental health in children and young people in the United Kingdom.

Topic: Mental health

Powers of attorney and making decisions for another person
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN03898
This note deals with powers of attorney and other ways of authorising someone to make a decision for another person in England and Wales.

Topics: Mental health, Powers of attorney

Parliamentary Elections in Poland
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Lords In Focus LIF-2015-0041
This In Focus examines Poland's parliamentary elections held on 25 October 2015.

Topic: Eastern Europe

Local Government Finance (Tenure Information) Bill 2015-16
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7350
This page has been prepared by the House of Commons Library to provide information on the Local Government Finance (Tenure Information) Bill 2015-16 which is scheduled to receive its Second Reading on 22 January 2016 (initially 30 October 2015).

Topics: Housing, Private rented housing

NHS (Charitable Trusts Etc.) Bill
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7364
This House of Commons Library briefing paper provides information on the NHS (Charitable Trusts Etc.) Bill (Bill 11 2015-16).The Bill aims to reduce the Department of Health’s involvement in NHS charities (charities linked to NHS bodies). Specifically it makes provision for the removal of the Secretary of State’s long-standing powers to appoint trustees. The Bill also contains provisions to ensure that a new independent Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity can receive royalties in relation to performances or publications of the play Peter Pan (JM Barrie gave the hospital rights to the royalties in 1929).

Topics: Health finance, Health services

Police funding: Social Indicators page
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN02616
Police funding: Social Indicators page. SN/SG/2616.

Topics: Public expenditure, Police, Local government

Transport in Wales
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN03156
This note gives an overview of those transport areas that are reserved to the UK Parliament; those which are devolved to Wales and proposals in the Draft Wales Bill to devolve further powers.

Topics: Roads, Aviation, Railways, Buses, Shipping, National Assembly for Wales

Opposition Day Debate: Policing
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2015-0091
For the 9th allotted Opposition Day Debate occurring on the afternoon of Wednesday 4 November, the subject Policing has been chosen.

Topics: Crime, Police

Modern prefabricated housing
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2015-0090
This page provides background information for the Westminster Hall debate, Modern prefabricated housing, scheduled for Wednesday 4 November 2015. This debate was initiated by Damian Collins MP.

Topic: Housing supply

Mineworkers' pensions
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN01189
Covers the arrangements made for mineworkers' pensions following privatisation of British Coal in 1994.

Topics: Coal, Pensions

English Baccalaureate
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN06045
The history and purpose of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), and the Government's future plans. The new Government has announced plans for the EBacc to be taken by over 90% of school children in England

Topic: Schools

Debate Pack: Dog meat trade
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Debate packs CDP-2015-0094
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.

Topic: Animal welfare

Economic Indicators, November 2015
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7361
Analysis of the latest key UK and international economic indicators.

Topics: Economic policy, Economic situation

Government borrowing, debt and debt interest: statistics
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN05745
This is a purely statistical note on public sector borrowing (the budget deficit), public sector debt and government debt interest payments.

Topics: Economic policy, Public expenditure, Economic situation

Social care: Recent changes to the CQC's regulation of adult residential care (care homes)
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers CBP-7362
The Care Quality Commission has changed how it regulates adult residential care (i.e. care homes), replacing blanket annual inspections of all adult care services with the reintroduction of a “risk-based approach” meaning that poorly-rated services are inspected more frequently (together with some random inspections) under a new inspection framework underpinned by "Fundamental Standards".

Topics: Community care, Older people

Green Investment Bank
Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015 | Commons Briefing papers SN05977
The Green Investment Bank was set up by the Government to stimulate investment in green technologie. This note includes details of its role and the Governments intention to privatise it.

Topics: Energy, Energy conservation, Climate change, Environmental protection, Business support, Renewable energy, Financial institutions, Electricity

Displaying 1-20 out of 5837

About libraries

House of Commons Library

The House of Commons Library provides research, analysis and information services for MPs and their staff.

House of Lords Library

The House of Lords Library delivers research and information services to Members and staff of the House in support of parliamentary business.

POST

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology produces independent, balanced and accessible briefings on public policy issues related to science and technology.

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