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
Coronavirus Bill: emergency Covid-19 legislation
The bill proposes new laws that would provide the Government, and various public bodies, with powers to manage the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK.
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In Focus
Canadian Senate reform: What has been happening?
The Senate of Canada has moved to a former train station, where it will sit during the Ottawa Parliament’s own restoration and renewal programme. But this is not the only change that has affected Canada’s second chamber in recent years. The architecture of its appointments process has also been undergoing an overhaul.
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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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Current Affairs Digest
Current Affairs Digest: Constitution (February 2020)
Catch-up on articles about Britain's constitution that you may have missed from February 2020, including a global study measuring levels of satisfaction with democracy.
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Research Briefing
Fisheries Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the second reading of the Fisheries Bill [HL], scheduled to take place on 11 February 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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Research Briefing
Online Political Advertising: On a Road to Regulation?
This House of Lords Library Briefing considers the evolution of online political advertising and details the legislative reforms that are being considered by the Government.
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Research Briefing
Extension of Franchise (House of Lords) Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides background information on the Extension of Franchise (House of Lords) Bill [HL], ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords on 7 February 2020.
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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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Current Affairs Digest
Current Affairs Digest: Constitution (January 2020)
Catch-up on articles about the constitution you may have missed from January 2020, including those on increasing the voting age and whether Britain needs a written constitution.
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