Research Briefing
Short Money
Short Money is allocated to opposition parties to support them in their parliamentary duties. Allocations are based on a party’s performance at the previous election.
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Research Briefing
Evolution and changing composition of departmental select committees
Departmental select committees were first established in 1979. This briefing paper charts changes in their number and size since 1979.
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Research Briefing
Commons committee stages taken in committee of the whole House
Bills since the 1997-98 session considered in the House of Commons by a committee of the whole House.
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Research Briefing
Chairs of Commons select committees since 2010
House of Commons select committee chairs in the 2024, 2019, 2017, 2015 and 2010 parliaments.
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Research Briefing
Committee of Privileges
This briefing outlines the remit and powers of the Committee of Privileges. It also provides brief details of matters referred to the Committee since 1979.
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Data dashboards,Research Briefing
Local authority data: finances
Browse details on both funding and spending of local authorities in England.
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Research Briefing
Historic restrictions on members of the Catholic and Jewish faiths
The Prime Minister announced on 10 September 2026 that the government will introduce a bill to correct "antiquated and archaic" prohibitions on those of the Catholic and Jewish faiths offering advice to the Crown on appointments to the Church of England. This briefing looks at the historic basis of these restrictions and how they work in practice.
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Research Briefing
Public spending: a brief introduction
The UK’s public sector will spend £1,419 billion in 2026/27. This briefing gives statistics and commentary on the various categories of recent public spending.
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Research Briefing
How do public inquiries operate in other countries?
Many countries have an equivalent to the UK public inquiry system. New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Ireland all manage inquiries in different ways.
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Research Briefing
How could public inquiries be reformed?
The Inquiries Act 2005 was the last major reform to public inquiries system in the UK. Since then there have been a number of proposals for change.
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Research Briefing
How much do public inquiries cost and how long do they last?
There is wide variation in how much public inquiries cost and how long they last. In 2026 prices, the median statutory inquiry costs £6,600 per day.
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Research Briefing
Public inquiries established under the Inquiries Act 2005
Use our interactive dashboard to explore the cost and duration of statutory public inquiries since 2005, alongside key facts about each inquiry.
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Research Briefing
Armenia’s 2026 election: Where next for the country?
Following parliamentary elections in June 2026, Armenia's efforts diversify its foreign policy look set to continue.
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Research Briefing
Business rates
A brief guide to the system of non-domestic rating, better known as ‘business rates’.
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Research Briefing
The Parliament Acts
The Parliament Acts allow bills to be presented for Royal Assent without the consent of the House of Lords. How and when are these powers used?
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