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
Voting in the 2021 elections
On 6 May 2021, voters across Great Britain will go to the polls for devolved and local elections.
Privy council
The privy council is formally a body of advisers to the King.
Covid passports
Covid passports are a way of proving that a person has been vaccinated against (or in some cases recovered from or tested negative for) Covid-19.
NHS pay
Nurses and most other NHS staff were “offered” a 1% pay rise by the government. But how are decisions about NHS pay made?
Spending review 2021: what it means for public services
The spending envelope sets out the total amount of money the government plans to spend on departments and public services.
Baroness Fairhead
Baroness Fairhead was interviewed on 12 February 2021 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.
Coronavirus: what economic support is the government currently providing for individuals?
Since the first UK-wide lockdown, the UK and devolved governments have provided support for businesses and individuals.
Coronavirus: what economic support is the government currently providing for businesses?
Since the first UK-wide lockdown, the UK and devolved governments have provided support for businesses and individuals.
Coronavirus: actions taken by the Bank of England during the first lockdown
The Bank of England took action to ensure businesses had access to low-interest loans and that the markets for government bonds continued to function.
Coronavirus: government support for businesses during the first lockdown
This explainer summarises the support that the governemnt offered to businesses during the first lockdown.