In Focus
Covid-19 and the police: New powers but more pressure?
This article examines the potential pressures the Covid-19 pandemic may put on policing, along with the changes that have been made to help forces manage.
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Research Briefing
Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission
The Government has proposed setting up a constitution, democracy and rights commission to consider broad aspects of the UK’s constitution. This would look at issues including the relationship between the government, parliament, and the courts; the functioning of the royal prerogative; the role of the House of Lords; and access to justice.
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In Focus
Who holds the purse strings? Financial privilege and the House of Lords
The limited role of the House of Lords in scrutinising government spending and taxation has developed gradually over time. This article summarises the history of the House of Lords’ role and the development of the financial privilege of the House of Commons.
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In Focus
Coronavirus Bill: What emergency powers does the Government already have?
The Government recently introduced the Coronavirus Bill 2020, which would give it new emergency powers. This article looks at the powers the Government already has to deal with emergencies.
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Research Briefing
Ministerial Code
The Ministerial Code sets out the standards of conduct expected of ministers. It has garnered renewed media interest with recent allegations of potential breaches, with particular reference to alleged bullying of civil servants.
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Research Briefing
Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages
This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill [HL] in advance of its second reading, due to take place in the House of Lords on 13 March 2020.
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Research Briefing
Coronavirus: A Public Health Emergency
The coronavirus was declared a public health emergency on 30 January 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), only the sixth such emergency since 2009. The declaration followed reports on 31 December 2019 of an unknown virus causing a number of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in eastern China. The virus was later identified as a new strain of coronavirus (Cov). This House of Lords Library briefing provides information about: the virus, including its spread and impact; what action the WHO and UK Government have taken; and the problem of disinformation in relation to the disease.
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In Focus
Bank of England: the gold standard
The Bank of England operates monetary policy in the UK. This article describes how, for much of its history, this involving maintaining the convertibility of the currency into bullion—the gold standard. More recently, the aims of policy have shifted, with the current target being to control inflation. However, debates continue about the appropriate targets of monetary policy, its links with fiscal policy and other aspects of the Bank’s operations.
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Research Briefing
Policing in the UK: Serious and Organised Crime
The House of Lords Library Briefing explores the nature of Serious and Organised Crime in the UK. It includes statistics on the scale of the problem as well as information on the response by the Government and the National Crime Agency.
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Research Briefing
Policing in the UK: Governance, Oversight and Complaints
This House of Lords Library Briefing sets out how the police service in the UK is governed, including details of recent reforms. It also focuses on how the police are held accountable for their actions through systems of oversight and complaints.
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Research Briefing
Bank of England: History, Role and Current Policy Debates
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information on the Bank of England. It covers the Bank’s history, its role today and current policy debates around its activities.
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Research Briefing
Queen’s Speech January 2020: Debate in the House of Lords Day 1
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of day 1 of the Lords debate on the December 2019 Queen's Speech, covering the following subjects: foreign affairs, defence, international development, trade, climate change and the environment.
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Research Briefing
Prerogative Powers of the Crown
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides an overview of prerogative powers in the UK. It includes a discussion of powers reserved to the monarch, and examples of how they have been used.
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Research Briefing
GCHQ: 100th Anniversary
The House of Lords Library briefing has been produced to mark GCHQ’s 100th anniversary.
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Research Briefing
Queen’s Speech: Debate in the House of Lords Days 1 and 2
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of days 1 and 2 of the Lords debate on the Queen’s Speech, covering the following subjects: exiting the European Union, trade, foreign affairs and defence.
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