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
Payroll vote
The 'payroll vote' is the body of MPs who hold offices that require them to support the government.
Collective responsibility
Collective responsibility is the convention whereby individual members of the government are accountable for the actions and decisions of government.
How the civil service prepares for a general election
This explainer considers the preparation the civil service undertakes during an election period.
How political parties prepare for government
Alongside campaigning for office, political parties also undertake other preparation for what they will do if they win an election and get into power.
How can the government timetable legislation in Parliament?
For all governments, it is important that they are able to get their business through Parliament in a reasonable amount of time.
Chris Grayling
Chris Grayling talks about his various ministerial roles, including key decisions he made as justice and transport secretary.
Votes in the House of Commons
How does voting in the House of Commons work?
Brexit legislation: domestic framework bills
In the recent Queen’s Speech, the government has presented plans to lay seven Brexit-focused bills before Parliament.
Brexit deal: the Northern Ireland protocol
The Northern Ireland protocol aims to avoid the introduction of a hard border on the island of Ireland in the event that there is a no-deal Brexit.
Access talks with the civil service
Access talks are meetings between the civil service and opposition parties, held in the run-up to a general election.