Westminster Explained

Parliamentary governance and administration

Constitutional reform has been on the political agenda in the United Kingdom for the last ten years.

Devolution has led to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Parliament has also been affected. The House of Lords has been reformed significantly and further changes are expected over the next few years. The House of Commons has also been through an evolving process of modernisation and experimentation. The relationship between the Executive and Parliament is currently being re-examined.

We can provide internationally renowned experts to explain the entire process and to share the experiences of the last few years. These events are always chaired by former or current Members of Parliament, or by former civil servants with detailed expertise in their field.

We can also provide experts to give guidance and information on any other aspect of parliamentary life and work which is of interest.

A Guide to Legislation in the United Kingdom from Consultation to Act

This seminar looks at the origins of legislation and the consultation process, the organisation of the legislative programme, the passage of a Bill through Parliament, the role of civil service departmental Bill teams, the supremacy of European Union law and the implications of this for member states, and the impact of devolution on the legislative process. Depending on the depth required, the seminar can be adapted from a one-day overview to a week-long programme.

An Overview of Parliamentary Scrutiny and the Role of Committees

This day-long event focuses on the roles of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the committee systems in each House and their respective roles, scrutiny of European Union legislation in the UK Parliament, Prime Minister’s questions, parliamentary questions in the House of Commons, departmental answers, and the role of debates in the House of Lords.

Finance in Parliament

This one- or two-week programme can be modified substantially to meet precise needs. The generic programme begins with an overview of Parliament, followed by the place and role of finance, types of expenditure and spending authorisation, control and accountability, how Parliament is paid for and how much it costs, the system supporting financial services, the parliamentary budget, annual reports, performance management, salaries and expenses, regulation, scrutiny and committees, the role of the Treasury, and gender budgeting.

Scrutiny of European Union Legislation in the United Kingdom Parliament: Principles, Practices and Transferability

This one-week programme looks in depth at the legislative relationship between Brussels and the European Union member states, the origins of EU legislation, the primacy of EU law, and presents a view from Brussels.

It goes on to examine the parliamentary and governmental system in the UK, scrutiny of EU legislation in the House of Commons, and the roles clerks, advisers, and the opposition parties in the committee structure. Scrutiny of EU legislation in the House of Lords is then examined, including the structure of the EU scrutiny committee and the seven sub-committees, followed by a session on the remit and work of the Merits of Statutory Instruments committee.

The seminar then focuses on how other member states scrutinise EU legislation, and on the impact of EU legislation and directives on the legislature, the administration, and Parliament. Transposition and gold plating will also be examined.

There is also an examination of various transference models, looking at the practicalities of incorporating ideas and practices into the delegates’ own states, structures and systems, building on lessons learnt through the experience of the former accession states.

The Evolving Impact of Devolution in the United Kingdom

This day-long event examines the changes which have taken place in the United Kingdom since 1997, including the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

It goes on to examine the consequences of these events, the momentum they have created, and the evolving process which is determined by changing political circumstances and public perceptions and expectations. It will also look at the legislative and administrative roles and responsibilities of the various institutions, how they interact with local, regional and national tiers of government and the possible implications for the future.

Constitutional Reform in the United Kingdom

This one-day seminar looks at reform in the public sector and Parliament over the last ten years. The government’s current thinking on where constitutional reform and renewal are heading will be analysed, as will issues such as limiting the powers of the executive and the implications of reform for the civil service. Strengthening Parliament’s role in the scrutiny of public appointments, consulting on the Queen’s Speech and its implications for Departmental legislation, understanding the role of the Ministers for the English regions, devolution, and how a British Bill of Rights would differ from the Human Rights Act will also be examined.

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