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In Focus
International impact of Covid-19 on parliaments
The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted how parliaments across the world operate. This article details how several parliaments have had to adapt. For example, the use of heat sensors in the Republic of Korea and reduced plenary sittings in the French Senate.
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In Focus
Covid-19: How has it affected the sustainable development goals?
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected health, education and livelihoods around this world. This article gives an overview of some of the ways the pandemic is expected to impact progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. This is the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 22 July 2020.
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In Focus
Stamp Duty Land Tax (Temporary Relief) Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages
In July 2020, as part of its economic response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government announced an immediate cut to stamp duty on residential properties in England and Northern Ireland until 31 March 2021. This article examines the bill which would provide for this change.
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In Focus
Smoke-free England by 2030: On track or unrealistic?
Rates of smoking in Britain are among the lowest in Europe. Despite this, smoking is still a major cause of early death. Smoking rates remain tied to economic factors, with research showing as personal income increases, the likelihood of smoking decreases. This article looks at the statistics and research around smoking. It also considers the Government’s ambition of going smoke-free by 2030 in England, and 2034 in Scotland.
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In Focus
Healthcare students: Tuition fees and student debt
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been argued that the Government should change student finance arrangements for some healthcare students. This article focuses on this request, the Government’s response and how student finance currently works.
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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
Accusations of racism in the Metropolitan Police Service
This article looks at accusations of racism in the Metropolitan Police Service, both towards officers and in its interactions with the public. The action being taken to address racism in the Metropolitan Police Service is the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 15 July 2020.
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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
Independent Monitoring Authority: Duties in Northern Ireland
The Draft Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Section 75—Designation of Public Authority) Order 2020 relates to Brexit. It would designate the newly created Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements as a “public authority” for the purposes of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and therefore subject to certain statutory equality duties. The House of Lords is due to debate the order on 8 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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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.
Total results (page 81 of 86)