Research Briefing
Public inquiries
A public inquiry is an investigation set up by a minister to respond to events of major public concern or to consider controversial public policy issues.
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Research Briefing
Government reviews and investigations
Government can establish different types of review or investigation, including public inquiries, Committees of Privy Counsellors and Royal Commissions.
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Research Briefing
UK Youth Parliament
The UK Youth Parliament is going to meet in the House of Commons Chamber on 6 November 2025.
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Research Briefing
Covid-19 and local government
A briefing paper covering financial support to local authorities, and Government financial support distributed via local authorities, during the Covid-19 pandemic
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Research Briefing
The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill 2024-25
The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act allows for the alignment of rules on absent voting arrangements between reserved and devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.
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Research Briefing
What is a Royal Charter?
A Royal Charter incorporates a body, turning it from a collection of individuals into a single legal entity.
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Research Briefing
Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2024-26
The "Hillsborough Law" would create a duty of candour for public officials and introduce parity of representation for bereaved families at inquests.
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Insight
What is a Royal Warrant?
A Royal Warrant is a legal document authorising an appointment or specific action. These are signed by the King and mainly used for certain public appointments.
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Research Briefing
Ethnic diversity in politics and public life
In 2024/25, 16% of the UK population was from a minority ethnic background. How is this reflected in politics and public life?
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Debate Pack
Role of town and parish councils
Parish councils are the first tier of local government, collectively referred to as local councils.
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Insight
Independent review of the Windsor Framework
The independent review makes recommendations to the UK Government to build cross-community support for the Windsor Framework.
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Research Briefing
The death of a monarch
The death of a monarch – and the accession of a new sovereign – involves the Cabinet, the Privy Council, Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the Church of England. This paper outlines the historical precedents for events that follow a demise of the crown.
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Research Briefing
Public spending in local areas
This briefing examines how public spending is allocated and lists some of the resources for working out the amounts that have gone to local areas.
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Research Briefing
State visits to the UK
What are state visits? Who decides who is invited? Who pays the costs? What is the format of a state visit? Do they always include addresses to Parliament?
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Insight
What are state visits?
State visits are formal international visits by heads of state. In the UK, the King hosts “inbound” state visits and embarks upon “outbound” state visits.
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