Guides

The following is a guide to normal recess dates: Christmas and New Year/Winter festivals – normally the last two weeks in December and the first week in January February half-term – normally one week in mid-February Easter – normally two weeks around Easter Whit recess – normally one week at the end of May Summer...Read More

Around one third of the EU's budget is dedicated to counterbalancing the natural effects of the internal market, by redistributing resources and economic development across the EU. The main policy instruments available for this purpose are the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) – the 'structural funds'. Money is allocated...Read More

All MPs are expected to uphold the highest standards of probity and conduct. To this end they must declare their financial – and some other – interests in the Register of Members' Interests and they must abide by a the Code of Conduct of Members of Parliament. The system of standards is ultimately the responsibility...Read More

The 1999 House of Lords Act unseated all but 92 peers who inherited their right to sit in the Upper House. Some of these are office-holders in the House, while the majority were chosen in a series of elections held by each party grouping in the Lords. If a remaining hereditary peer dies, the right...Read More

This stage is normally at least two weeks after the end of the committee stage and lasts for a set number of hours, normally on one or two days. The Report Stage is so named because MPs are in theory considering the report of the committee. Indeed, in Hansard, the stage is introduced with the...Read More

This stage normally starts at least two weeks after the end of the committee stage and may last several days. The Report Stage is so named because peers are in theory considering the report of the committee. Report Stages take place on the floor of the House. Any peer can table and move amendments to...Read More

The composition of the Government is entirely in the power of the Prime Minister. When a Prime Minister rearranges Ministers, dismissing some and bringing in new blood, this is known as a reshuffle. Reshuffles normally happen about once a year, although major ones tend not to take place in the two years preceding a general...Read More

Ministers continue in office for as long as they have the confidence of the Prime Minister. Except during a reshuffle when they may not be re-appointed or are offered a demotion, Ministers are not generally sacked from their jobs, although they may be invited to tender their resignation by the Prime Minister. The resignation of...Read More

Respect provided the two most memorable moments of election night 2005. The first occurred when George Galloway, leader of the new party, beat Labour's Oona King in Bethnal Green and Bow. It was a dirty fight and there were accusations that Galloway used the paternal prejudices of the local community to win his victory over...Read More

Royal Assent is signified to a Bill by the monarch after it has been agreed by both Houses. Royal Assent is announced to the House by the Speaker. The Bill becomes an Act and, depending on its provision, may come immediately into force or may come into force on a date prescribed by statutory instrument...Read More

Royal Assent is signified to a Bill by the monarch after it has been agreed by both Houses. Royal Assent is announced to the House by the chair. The Bill becomes an Act and, depending on its provision, may come immediately into force or may come into force on a date prescribed by statutory instrument...Read More