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
Former prime ministers: what support do they get from the state?
Prime ministers are entitled to public financial support in the form of the Public Duty Costs Allowance (PDCA).
How do Labour Party leadership contests work?
A Labour leadership election can only be triggered if the leader resigns, or if 20% of MPs nominate a challenger.
Replacing a prime minister during a general election campaign
Can a prime minister be replaced during an election campaign?
Preparation for government by opposition parties or leadership challengers
What is a transition of government?
How big is the Labour government’s majority?
There are 650 seats in parliament. At the general election, the government won 411 of them.
What has happened to the assisted dying bill?
Lauren Edwards confirmed she will bring back the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which ran out of time in the 2024-26 parliamentary session.
By-elections since the 2024 general election
Labour’s Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by-election.
Welsh elections 2026: Senedd Cymru (Welsh parliament)
The Senedd Cymru (Welsh parliament) in Cardiff is the devolved legislature of Wales.