Freedom of information requests
This Library Briefing gives an overview of freedom of information (FOI) requests.
AI in UK government departments
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used by UK government departments in various ways. This briefing paper gives some examples.
St Patrick’s Day and Northern Irish affairs
A general debate on the motion that this House has considered St Patrick’s Day and Northern Irish affairs will take place in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 27 March.
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Constituency casework
Making a Freedom of Information request (parliament.uk)
How to request information from public authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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Debate Pack
Debate on access to redress schemes
A general debate on access to redress schemes has been scheduled for Thursday 18 April in the Commons Chamber. The debate will be led by Mr William Wragg MP.
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Debate Pack
E-petition debate relating to a public inquiry into the James Bulger murder case
There will be an e-petition debate relating to a public inquiry into the James Bulger murder case. The Petitions Committee has agreed to debate the petition on 25 March 2024. The debate will be held in Westminster Hall and will be opened by Sir George Howarth MP, on behalf of the Petitions Committee.
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Debate Pack
Jewish communities and the potential merits of a British Jewish History Month
On Thursday 11 January 2024 there will be a debate on a motion calling for the creation of a British Jewish History Month.
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Debate Pack
Christmas, Christianity and communities
On Tuesday 19 December 2023 there will be a Westminster Hall debate on the topic of ‘Christmas, Christianity and communities’. The debate will be opened by Nick Fletcher MP.
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Research Briefing
Research and development spending
R&D spending in the UK. Including analysis of R&D by region and industry, and international comparisons of R&D.
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Research Briefing
Business Appointment Rules
Plans for reform of the Business Appointment Rules were published by the Government on 20 July 2023. Ministers and civil servants leaving office are subject to rules regarding appointment in other sectors. These rules exist to prevent former civil servants and ministers being able to profit from their knowledge of and contacts within Whitehall, and to prevent any perception of wrongdoing. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACoBA) administers the rules.
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Research Briefing
The Ministerial Code and the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests
This Commons Library briefing paper looks at the UK Ministerial Code, the role of the Independent Adviser and the process for investigating breaches of the Code.
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Debate Pack
Welsh Affairs – annual debate on 2 March 2023
A general debate on Welsh Affairs is held each year in the Commons Chamber on, or around, St. David's Day. Since 2010, the Backbench Committee has allocated time for the annual debate from its 35 allotted days.
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Debate Pack
Opposition day debate: Papers related to the Home Secretary
This landing page provides material for the Opposition day debate on 'Papers related to the Home Secretary" to be held on 8 November 2022
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Research Briefing
The Commissioner for Public Appointments
This Commons Library Briefing Paper sets out the role and remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. It summarises the changes made to the public appointments system in recent years and debates about the development of the role. William Shawcross, the new Commissioner, was appointed in 2021.
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Research Briefing
Limitations on the number of Ministers
The maximum number of paid ministers is set out in legislation. The Prime Minister can also appoint unpaid ministers. All ministers, combined with Parliamentary Private Secretaries make up the 'payroll vote' in the House of Commons.
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