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
Ukraine crisis: sanctions and UK football
The UK government has opted to place sanctions on a range of Russian businesses, financial institutions, and individuals.
Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act
The government has recognised that the lack of transparency about property ownership in the UK has made money laundering easier.
Russia–Ukraine war: how could it affect the UK economy?
This explainer looks at the direct trade links that do exist between the UK and Russia, and two key areas of the UK economy most likely to be exposed.
Ukraine crisis: transparency of Russian money flows in the UK
Since the beginning of the most recent crisis in Ukraine, there has been a lot of focus in the press on illicit money flows to the UK.
Ukraine crisis: financial and international trade sanctions
The UK has joined the US and EU in imposing unprecedented sanctions on Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service
Sir Mark Rowley is the current Metropolitan Police commissioner. But what does his role involve?
Downing Street chief of staff
The Downing Street chief of staff is the UK prime minister’s most senior political adviser.
Cost of living crisis
How high is inflation? What prices are increasing fastest? Why have prices increased so rapidly?
Cost of living crisis: reducing energy bill costs
Energy costs have increased sharply since 2021, largely due to a surge in wholesale gas prices.
Sue Gray report update
On 31 January 2022, Sue Gray published an update on her investigation into alleged gatherings on government premises during Covid restrictions.