Explainers
Our explainers cover key subjects relating to our work, setting out key facts and figures and answering the most important questions about government.
Explore our explainers
Asylum backlog
The asylum backlog refers to the number of people seeking asylum in the UK who are awaiting a decision on their case.
Civil service pay
We look at the average salaries across government departments.
Using the military to respond to public sector strikes
What are the criteria for deploying the military to support public services?
Ofgem
Ofgem is the public body responsible for overseeing the electricity and gas markets.
Public bodies: governance and funding
How public bodies' objectives are set, and the funding and other constraints within which they must operate.
Public bodies: scrutiny and accountability
How public bodies are scrutinised and held accountable for performance, as well as how they can be directed by ministers.
Scottish government 2023/24 budget
The Scottish government’s annual budget allocates devolved spending in Scotland for the next financial year and sets some tax rates.
Pay review bodies
Pay review bodies are independent panels that gather evidence and then provide government with advice each year on pay for many public sector workers.
Labour’s constitutional proposals
What the Brown Commission recommendations for constitutional reform say and what they mean.
Leading a ministerial team
As a new secretary of state, how will you lead your ministerial team? Find out how other have done it.