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
Government chief scientific adviser
The government chief scientific adviser provides independent advice on scientific issues at the highest levels of government.
David Gauke
David Gauke reflects on his time at the Treasury, pushing through reforms to the justice system and rebelling against the government in parliament.
Norman Lamb
Norman Lamb reflects on not being offered a ministerial role after the 2010 general election, coalition politics and mental health care reforms.
Cabinet
The cabinet is the senior decision-making body in government.
Current UK fiscal rules
What are the government’s current fiscal rules and is it on track to meet them?
UK–EU future relationship: UK and EU mandates
On 25 February 2020, the EU published its mandate for negotiations with the UK on the future relationship.
Greg Clark
Greg Clark was interviewed on 27 February 2020 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.
Electoral systems across the UK
The devolved legislatures are elected using different voting systems to the first-past-the-post system. How do they work?
Special advisers
Special advisers (SpAds) are political appointees hired to support ministers.
Rules for funding for political parties
How much funding do political parties receive?