Policy by Subject

The Queen’s Speech

During the State Opening of Parliament ceremony, The Queen opens Parliament in person, and addresses both Houses in The Queen's Speech. Neither House can proceed to public business until The Queen's Speech has been read.This speech is drafted by the Government and not by The Queen. It outlines the Government's policy for the coming session of Parliament and indicates forthcoming legislation. Click here to view.

Government departments

The main role of Government departments is to implement Government policy and to advise Ministers. They are staffed by politically impartial civil servants and generally receive their funding from money provided by Parliament. Click here to view.

Parliamentary questions

PQs are tools that can be used by Members of Parliament to seek information or to press for action. They oblige Ministers to explain and defend the work, policy decisions and actions of their Departments.

Select Committees

Much of the work of the House of Commons and the House of Lords takes place in committees, which examine issues in detail, from government policy to proposed new laws.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE INQUIRIES

Smaller Government: What do Ministers do?

PASC launched an inquiry on 28 July 2010 into the number, role and effectiveness of government ministers. PASC is undertaking this inquiry as part of its wider interest in ‘smaller government’.
Link to committee page

Too Many Ministers?

PASC published a report on 16 March 2010 calling for substantial reductions in the number of government ministers and in the wider payroll vote in the House of Commons.
Link to Government Response

Good Governance and Civil Service Reform

PASC launched an inquiry on 15 December 2010 into the government’s plans to reform the civil service as part of its wider interest in good governance.
Link to written evidence

Civil Service Compensation Scheme/Work of the Cabinet Office

Link to written evidence
Link to oral evidence

Work of the Cabinet Office

This evidence session forms part of the Public Administration Select Committee’s scrutiny of the Cabinet Office. It provided the Committee with the opportunity to question the Cabinet Secretary about the on going process of civil service reform and hear his views on the future of the service.
Link to Evidence session

Smaller Government: Shrinking the Quango State

PASC launched an inquiry on 10 September 2010 into the government’s plans to cut the number of quangos as part of its wider interest in ‘smaller government’.
Link to written evidence

Government Response to the Report on the Cabinet Office and the Centre of Government

The Government’s Constitutional Reform Programme

The Lords Constitution Committee

The Lords Constitution Committee have published their report on the Cabinet Office manual - 7 March 2011.For details click here.

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Policy by Subject