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).
Metro mayors
Four metro mayoral elections are being held on Thursday 1 May 2025. But what do they do?
Local and mayoral elections 2025
On Thursday, 1 May 2025, local and mayoral elections took place in many parts of England.
The Dutch Safety Board
What can the UK learn from the Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid?
UK defence spending
Defence spending has grown in political salience in recent years.
What are the legal aspects of nationalisation?
There are several important legal implications that arise when a government begins the process of nationalising a sector, service or industry.
Civil service grades
There are five broad groupings of grades in the civil service. But what are they, and how have number of civil servants at each grade changed?
Public inquiry reform in New Zealand
How New Zealand renewed its century-old approach to public inquiries.
Gender balance in politics
This explainer takes a closer look at how women are represented in parliament, cabinet, among ministers and special advisers.
Fast-tracked legislation / emergency legislation
A fast-tracked bill passes through all the normal stages of passage in each House, but on an expedited timetable.