In Focus
Restricting use of plastics: New government regulations
From October 2020, the Government plans to restrict the supply of certain single-use plastics. This article discusses the regulations which would provide for this change.
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In Focus
UK import restrictions: Controlling the spread of Xylella
Xylella fastidiosa is a bacteria that can cause severe disease and death in certain plants. This article explains what the disease is and discusses recent restrictions on plant imports that the UK Government has imposed to reduce the risk of it being introduced to the UK. Xylella is due to be the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 8 July 2020.
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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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Current Affairs Digest
Current Affairs Digest: Science (June 2020)
Catch up on science articles you may have missed from June 2020. This month we look at the issue of structural racism in healthcare, and the development of nuclear fusion.
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In Focus
Home insulation and the net zero target
Insulating homes decreases the amount of fuel needed to heat them, reducing carbon emissions. Increasing the number of insulation measures installed is necessary if the UK is to meet its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This article looks at the link between carbon emissions and insulation, and what the Government is doing to increase insulation levels.
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In Focus
Packaging waste in the UK: Unpacking the issues
This article discusses the recent measures taken by the Government to tackle packaging waste. This includes producing guidance for packaging producers to adhere to and consulting on a tax on plastic packaging. In addition this article examines the impact that the recent Coronavirus pandemic has had on packaging waste, amid reports of councils suspending recycling collections and temporarily closing household waste and recycling centres.
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Research Briefing
Covid-19: Fairer, Cleaner and More Sustainable Economy
A summary of proposals for policies to reshape the economy following the coronavirus pandemic. This includes recommendations for how the economy could be "fairer" and "cleaner".
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Research Briefing
Covid-19: Face Masks
On 11 May 2020, the Government advised the general public in England to use face coverings in enclosed public spaces where social distancing might not be possible, for example on public transport.
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In Focus
Direct payments to farmers: Derogation from crop diversification requirements for 2020
Farm businesses receive direct payments based on the amount of agricultural land that they maintain. Farmers receive payments if they meet certain requirements, including crop diversification requirements. This articles discusses what direct payments are, in addition to the Government’s statutory instrument that would set aside the requirements to qualify for direct payments for 2020.
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Research Briefing
Agriculture Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages
The House of Lords stages of the Agriculture Bill began on 18 May 2020 with first reading.
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Current Affairs Digest
Current Affairs Digest: Science (May 2020)
Catch up on science articles you may have missed from April and May 2020. Articles this month include a look at the psychology of lockdown, and 200 years of Florence Nightingale.
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In Focus
Contact-tracing apps: Legislating for data protection?
Many countries have adopted or are in the process of developing coronavirus contact-tracing apps. Different apps use different models for handling sensitive personal data. This article looks at the approaches taken by different governments around the world on whether specific data protection legislation is required.
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Research Briefing
Coronavirus: Food Supply and Food Security
How has coronavirus impacted both food supply chains and food security in the UK? This briefing explores the latest facts and figures.
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Current Affairs Digest
Current Affairs Digest: Science (April 2020)
Catch up on science articles you may have missed from March and April 2020. Articles this month look at the science behind measures to contain Covid-19.
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In Focus
Coronavirus testing: Could genome-editing tool CRISPR provide the answer?
CRISPR (clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a genome editing tool. Scientists continue to research the potential uses of CRISPR technology. The coronavirus pandemic has seen an increase in the demand for diagnostic testing. This article discusses what CRISPR is and its potential role in diagnostics.
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