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
Trade: freeports and free zones
Freeports are a special kind of port where normal tax and customs rules do not apply.
Direct rule in Northern Ireland
Direct rule means that the UK government takes over direct responsibility for government decisions in Northern Ireland.
How can Boris Johnson pay for his promises on tax and spending?
Boris Johnson used his first speech outside Downing Street to reiterate promises to spend more on police, schools and hospitals.
How are bills amended by Parliament?
Amendments are proposals to change, remove or add to the existing wording of bills to modify their effect.
Tracey Crouch
Tracey Crouch was interviewed on 10 July 2019 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.
David Ford
David Ford was interviewed on 9 July 2019 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.
Lord O’Shaughnessy
Lord O’Shaughnessy discusses working in policy before becoming a minister, being a Lords minister and the impact of Brexit on the work of DHSC.
Richard Harrington
Richard Harrington reflects on his time as a joint minister across three departments and working with businesses to prepare for a no deal Brexit.
Local government
The local government system varies in many ways between the four nations of the UK. We explain the structure and political balance in each nation.