The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 creates a five year period between general elections. Early elections may only be held in specified circumstances. A joint committee has been appointed to undertake a statutory review of the Act and undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of Government proposals to repeal the Act.
Documents to download
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Parliamentary Private Secretaries to Prime Ministers since 1906 (166 KB, PDF)
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Supporting documents
- Parliamentary Private Secretaries to Prime Ministers since 1906 (39 KB, Excel Spreadsheet) (39 KB, Excel Spreadsheet)
Summary
Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPSs) are not members of the Government although they do have responsibilities and restrictions as defined by the Ministerial Code available on the Cabinet Office website.
A list of PPSs to Cabinet Ministers as at June 2019 is published on the Government’s transparency webpages.
It is usual for the Leader of the Opposition to have a PPS; Tan Dhesi was appointed as Jeremy Corbyn’s PPS in January 2020.
Further information
The Commons Library briefing on Parliamentary Private Secretaries provides a history of the development of the position of Parliamentary Private Secretary in general and looks at the role and functions of the post and the limitations placed upon its holders.
The Institute for Government’s explainer: parliamentary private secretaries (Nov 2019) considers the numbers of PPSs over time.
Parliament: facts and figures
This series of publications contains data on various subjects relating to Parliament and Government. Topics include legislation, MPs, select committees, debates, divisions and Parliamentary procedure.
Feedback
Please send any comments or corrections to the Parliament & Constitution Centre. Suggestions for new lists welcomed.
Documents to download
-
Parliamentary Private Secretaries to Prime Ministers since 1906 (166 KB, PDF)
-
Supporting documents
- Parliamentary Private Secretaries to Prime Ministers since 1906 (39 KB, Excel Spreadsheet) (39 KB, Excel Spreadsheet)
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