Key issues for the new Parliament 2015

What is the outlook for the prison population and what is driving the changes?

Defined contribution pension savings at retirement will have important implications for future pensioners, the pensions market, and the Exchequer, although the nature of these implications may not become clear for some time.

Overview of the ability of the intelligence services to collect internet communications and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms

The renewal of the Charter and Agreement provides a rare opportunity for Government, Parliament and the public to influence how the BBC is financed and operated.

Examines opinion and policies on immigration, which is seen as one of the public's most important issues

Since demand for school places has increased, how can Government policy ensure there are enough places where they are needed?

Examines the key foreign policy questions regarding the UK's relations with Russia

Analysis of the 2015 General Election result, which transformed the UK's political landscape

Overview of the challenges facing the NHS due to funding constraints and increasing demands

Following the worst financial crisis in a century and the longest downturn on record, the Bank of England cut its official interest rate (known as the Bank Rate) to 0.5% in March 2009, the lowest level in its 320-year history.

In common with many other advanced economies, the UK has seen an absolute decline in manufacturing employment and a relative decline in manufacturing output in recent decades. The impact of globalisation has been felt very acutely in this sector.

In December 2015, 196 countries will attempt to reach an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the aim of limiting a global temperature increase to below 2oC.

During the previous Parliament, the real value of the National Minimum Wage fell, reflecting a series of recommendations by the Low Pay Commission that sought to avoid pricing workers out of jobs whilst inflation was running above average wage growth.

Governments, businesses and others are increasingly asking how information derived from data can be used to inform decision-making and help to develop and deliver better products and services.

After much debate in the last Parliament, opinions on zero-hours contracts (ZHCs) remain polarized. Employee organisations argue that they can leave workers and their families in a state of financial insecurity and uncertainty.

Overview of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the implications for UK foreign policy

In the new Parliament, policymakers face the challenge of ensuring affordable energy, sufficient investment in new generation, and an increase in the proportion of supply from low carbon sources.

How do we ensure that the press is both free and responsible?

Outlines the grounds for previous humanitarian interventions and Parliamentary support for military action abroad

Throughout the last Parliament, the major parties competed to demonstrate their commitment to the UK's infrastructure.