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
Ministerial directions
Ministerial directions are formal instructions telling departments to proceed with a spending proposal, despite objection from permanent secretaries.
Citizens' assemblies
What are citizens' assemblies and how do they work?
The Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill
How will the government’s new Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill work?
Minister for women and equalities
Who is the minister for women and equalities and how has the role developed over time?
Mission-driven government: What has Labour committed to?
What is a 'mission-led' government?
MPs' security
Increasing levels of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia have seen a rise in threats made to MPs. So what security do they receive and how is this funded?
Who regulates standards for MPs?
The behaviour of MPs is governed and influenced by a wide array of processes and bodies.
Costing opposition policies
How does the process of costing policies work?
Government deal with the DUP to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland
This explainer sets out the main elements of the agreement contained in the Command Paper published by the government.
The history of HM Treasury
When was the Treasury created and how has its role changed over time?