Research Briefing
Short Money
Short Money is allocated to opposition parties to support them in their parliamentary duties. Allocations are based on a party’s performance at the previous election.
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Research Briefing
The Privy Council: history, functions and membership
A briefing paper on the history, functions and membership of the Privy Council
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Research Briefing
The office and functions of the Prime Minister
A briefing paper on the office and functions of the Prime Minister
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Insight
How is a Prime Minister appointed?
The Monarch appoints a Prime Minister under the royal prerogative, although the process is a very private event.
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Insight
How is a government formed?
The Prime Minister advises the Monarch who should become members of the government. By convention, ministers will be MPs or members of the House of Lords.
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Data dashboards
MP data: Parliamentary activities
This interactive dashboard presents data on the parliamentary activities of MPs in Westminster. It aims to give an overview of the areas individual MPs are focusing on.
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Insight
How are life peers created?
Most members of the House of Lords are life peers, rather than hereditary peers or Lords Spiritual. What is the process for creating new life peerages?
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Insight
How is a Speaker elected?
Business cannot begin in the House of Commons until it has elected one of its MPs to be Speaker – its presiding officer.
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Insight
What is the Parliamentary Oath?
If an MP tries to take part in Commons business without having taken the Parliamentary Oath, they can be fined and it can trigger a by-election.
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Insight
What happens in the Commons after the general election?
After a general election, MPs must elect a Speaker and then swear in. After the King’s Speech opens the parliamentary session, Commons business can begin.
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Research Briefing
Emergency debates in the House of Commons since 1979
Applications for emergency debates made in the House of Commons since 1979, including the outcome of each application from 1992, and details of the debates following successful applications.
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Research Briefing
MPs not standing in the 2024 General Election
Spreadsheet of MPs not standing in the 2024 General Election
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Research Briefing
MPs’ changes of party allegiance in the House of Commons since 1979
This list notes when a Member has changed allegiance from one political party to another or decided to sit as an independent MP. Instances of Members losing or resigning a party whip are also noted.
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Research Briefing
Successful Private Members’ Bills since 1983
Commons and Lords Private Members’ Bills (PMBs), and their sponsoring Members, which have received Royal Assent since the start of the 1983 Parliament.
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Research Briefing
MPs’ Pension Scheme
The MPs’ Pension Scheme is administered by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), which is also responsible for administering MPs’ pay and business costs. It is a defined benefit scheme.
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