In Focus
Covid-19: The impact on human trafficking
This article looks at how much is known about the relationship between coronavirus and human trafficking, and what actions the Government has taken so far to provide support during the pandemic.
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In Focus
Children in poverty in working households
A range of data is available to measure child poverty. This article looks at official statistics on children in low income households with someone in work. It then considers Government policy in the area, and also discusses the possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Child poverty in working households is the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 15 July 2020.
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In Focus
Face coverings on public transport: Parliamentary approval of Covid-19 regulations
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government introduced a new requirement that passengers on public transport wear facial coverings. This measure was intended to prevent the spread of the virus. This article looks at the regulations establishing this requirement, due to be debated in the House of Lords on 8 July 2020.
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Research Briefing
Business and Planning Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages
The Government’s Business and Planning Bill is intended to help the economy recovery from the effects the Covid-19 outbreak.
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In Focus
Covid-19: Financial stability of local government
This article focuses on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the financial stability of local government. It considers how the pandemic has affected local government finances and how the Government has responded.
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In Focus
TV licences for the over-75s
This article explores changes to the entitlement to free TV licences for the over 75s, and how the timetable for implementing this has been extended because of the coronavirus outbreak.
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In Focus
Coronavirus: Temporary student number controls for higher education providers
In June 2020, the Government announced that as part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic it would be introducing temporary student number controls for higher education providers linked to the student finance system. This article focuses on the regulations that would provide for this change.
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In Focus
Coronavirus: What is the Government doing to support high street retailers?
This article provides statistics on the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on high street retail sales between March and June 2020. It also summarises the debate over the Government’s package of economic support for retailers, such as the coronavirus job retention scheme and a range of other loans and grants.
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In Focus
Covid-19 vaccine: Where are we?
This article looks at the current candidates for a Covid-19 vaccine, focusing on the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca project, and the Moderna candidate from the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The article highlights the new mRNA technology being developed in some projects. It also looks at what the Government is doing to support vaccine development.
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In Focus
Coronavirus: Airlines
Aviation has been one of the hardest hit sectors in the coronavirus pandemic. This article looks at Government support for airlines and also at criticisms of policies such as the quarantine. It then considers debates about airlines’ reactions in areas such as employment and customer refunds. The impact of the pandemic on airlines is the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 29 June 2020.
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In Focus
Covid-19: Lockdown measures and children’s screen time
In April 2019, the UK Government identified excessive screen time for children as an emerging concern. Since that time, the UK has been under lockdown measures, imposed to help combat the spread of coronavirus, which have forced children to conduct their education and social lives online. This article considers what impact this may have on children and what advice has been given to parents and carers.
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In Focus
Coronavirus: The impact on mental health
The coronavirus pandemic has had a proven impact on mental health. The lockdown, imposed from 23 March, limited many activities that research has shown to be beneficial to mental health. These included exercise and contact with friends. This article examines these factors, and looks at which groups in particular are affected. It also covers steps the Government have taken to support mental health through the pandemic.
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In Focus
Coronavirus and the case for a universal basic income
A universal basic income (or UBI) is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without a means-test or work requirement. This article examines arguments for and against introducing a UBI, particularly in light of the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.
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In Focus
Seaside resorts: ‘Staycationing’ during Covid-19
While Covid-19 is expected to have a negative impact on UK tourism overall, the number of domestic tourists in the UK is expected to rise. This briefing considers the debate regarding the potential impact of increases in domestic tourism on seaside resorts.
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In Focus
Nursing students: What is the Government doing to encourage recruitment?
This article provides statistics on applications and enrolments to nursing degrees in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Nursing enrolments have declined following changes to the bursary scheme for nursing students in 2017. The ability of universities to offer courses in the autumn of 2020 has also been impacted by coronavirus. The article summarises Government policy intended to encourage nursing student recruitment.
Total results (page 8 of 12)