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
Devolved legislatures: how are they working in the coronavirus lockdown?
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and Northern Ireland assembly have all adapted their practices and procedures.
Secondary legislation: how is it scrutinised?
This explainer outlines the ways parliament scrutinises secondary legislation.
Secondary legislation: how is it made?
Secondary, or delegated, legislation is law made by a person or body other than parliament, under powers delegated by a ‘parent’ Act of parliament.
Coronavirus lockdown rules in each part of the UK
Health is a devolved matter, which means that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own policies in relation to public health
Joint Biosecurity Centre
The government has announced the creation of a Joint Biosecurity Centre to bring together expertise and analysis to inform decisions on Covid-19.
Direct ministerial appointments to the House of Lords
If the prime minister wants to appoint a minister who is not a sitting MP or serving peer, they must ennoble them.
North-South cooperation on the island of Ireland
The 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, which brought a formal end to the troubles in Northern Ireland, established a three-stand governance approach.
Legislation to manage the coronavirus pandemic
The UK and devolved governments have regulations under existing public health legislation.
UK–EU future relationship: EU ratification and provisional application
Ratification is the act of approving, signing and adopting an international treaty.
NHS procurement
The NHS buys a large amount of goods and services to enable it to run from day to day. This is called procurement.