Statutory public inquiries: the Inquiries Act 2005
What 'statutory public inquiries' are, how they operate and summary details on the progress of active statutory inquiries
Northern Ireland: border polls
The UK Secretary of State has the power to hold a border poll. They must hold one if they think a majority of people in Northern Ireland favour a united Ireland.
Opposition parties in the House of Commons
In the House of Commons, specific rights, privileges and sources of funding are available to the Official Opposition and other opposition parties.
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Research Briefing
History of local government in English towns and cities
Historically, towns and cities could gain powers of self-government not available to other areas. Successive local government reforms have changed the system.
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Research Briefing
Pre-legislative scrutiny under the Conservative Governments of 2015-24
This briefing provides a summary of the development of pre-legislative scrutiny and the draft bills published during the 2015, 2017 and 2019 Parliaments.
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Research Briefing
Government consultations
Government departments and public bodies can consult the public on any policy to inform decision-making. In some cases, they are legally required to consult.