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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15 JUN 2026 Explainer
Defence secretary John Healey visits Joint Forces service personnel at Bloodhound Camp, Limassol, Cyprus

UK defence spending

Defence spending has grown in political salience in recent years.

01 JUN 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 who are they?

29 MAY 2026 Explainer
The Prime Minister on an energy site visit.

The UK electricity market

How does the electricity market work, and how is the government seeking to change it?

29 MAY 2026 Explainer
Gas ring

Ofgem

Ofgem is the public body responsible for overseeing the electricity and gas markets.

29 MAY 2026 Explainer
An exam hall

Office for Students

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England.