Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

The lobby in the Houses of Parliament

Understanding parliament as an MP

What you need to know to understand parliament and the legislative process.

What are the rules for MPs' second jobs? What is the payroll vote? How does 'ping pong' work? How are select committee members elected?

Navigating the unique world of the UK Parliament can be challenging even for seasoned MPs. Our extensive suite of explainers provide a comprehensive but accessible overview of the key people, practicalities and procedure you'll need to know to hit the ground running in the House of Commons.

Standards, ethics and practical matters

Scrutiny

Types of legislation

The legislative process: How to empower parliament

The government should empower parliament and allow it to properly scrutinise legislation, provide a check on executive action and maintain balance in the UK constitution.

Read the report
Big Ben

Who's who in the Commons

Understanding the House of Lords

The role of select committees

Motions, debates and votes

Understanding government as an MP

How to hold ministers to account and get the best out of government for your constituents.

Explore our resources
Woman in a red dress walking in front of a sign for Parliament Street and Whitehall.

Parliament's relationship with government

Support for MPs