Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

Houses of Parliament over the river.

Explainers

Our explainers cover key subjects relating to our work, setting out key facts and figures and answering the most important questions about government.

What is a budget? How are general elections called? What does the cabinet secretary do?  

From topical explanations of cabinet reshuffles or new legislation to the details of parliamentary process or important government institutions, our explainers are easily digestible short-reads.

Compiled by our experts and constantly updated, 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

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03 NOV 2026 Explainer
Good Friday Agreement signing

Irish reunification

What is a border poll? What would happen if Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland voted in favour of reunification?

30 OCT 2026 Explainer
John Healey and his ministerial team outside No.11 on Budget day.

Current UK fiscal rules

What are the government’s current fiscal rules and is it on track to meet them?

29 OCT 2026 Explainer
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, centre left, chairs a meeting of the National Wealth Fund Taskforce at 11 Downing Street in London

Public financial institutions

Public financial institutions (PuFins) can invest public funds and “crowd in” private investment. But what are they?

22 OCT 2026 Explainer
Oil rig North Sea

Jackdaw and Rosebank

What are Jackdaw and Rosebank, and what position has the government taken on North Sea licences?