Get Involved!

What is Parliament? Responsible for: Creating new laws Holding Government to account Consists of: The Monarch House of Commons House of Lords

House of Commons Democratically elected chamber of Parliament 650 Seats Directly elected at least every 5 years The party with the largest number of seats forms the government

House of Lords Secondary chamber of Parliament Approximately 740 members –Life peers –Hereditary peers –Bishops

The Monarch A politically neutral role Signs off laws passed by Parliament (Royal Assent). Opens Parliament each year

Government Approx 110 members Chosen by Prime Minister Senior and junior ministers Parliament is separate to Government

How can groups get involved?

Parliamentary Questions Can be used to: Obtain information – stats, policies, positions Press for action Raise constituency issues Challenge Government policy Must have factual basis and relate to the running of a government department

Parliamentary Debates Adjournment debate (HoC) Questions for Short Debate (HoL) Allows MPs and Members of the HoL to: Raise constituency issues or matters of regional, national or international significance Get the issue to the attention of a relevant minister Get a response from the Government

Early Day Motions Allows MPs to show their opinion on a particular subject Can be used to: Draw attention to an issue Call for action Commemorate, congratulate, condemn

All Party Parliamentary Groups Cross-party Both MPs and Members of the House of Lords Based around common interest (e.g. Voluntary and Community groups, football, Zimbabwe) Not involved in formal decision making, but important in developing knowledge

Select Committees Set up to scrutinise specific areas of work and government departments Work carried out through public enquiries Groups and individuals submit evidence to enquiries Enquiry report created and usually passed to relevant government department

Keep it local or make it national?

National, Regional and Local Local authorities have a wide range of powers and duties. National policy is set by central government, but local councils are responsible for all day-to-day services and local matters. Local authorities are funded by government grants, Council Tax and business rates. Source: direct.gov.uk

National, Regional and Local All legislation which is implemented at a local and regional level has to be passed by Parliament. Parliament has the power and mechanisms to scrutinise the work of regional and local bodies. Difference between design of legislation and the implementation of legislation. All power of local authorities is granted by Parliament – e.g. byelaws and council tax

Local Government Powers and Duties Local authorities work within the powers laid down under various Acts of Parliament - the functions of local authorities are far reaching. Some functions are mandatory, which means that the authority must do what is required by law. Others functions are discretionary, allowing an authority to provide services if it wishes. Source: direct.gov.uk

Local and National Links The main link between local authorities and central government in England is the Communities and Local Government department. It is responsible for national policy on how local government is set up, what it does, how well it works, and how it is funded. Other central government departments deal with national policy on local services, in particular: Department for Education Department for Culture, Media and Sport Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department of Health Department for Transport Source: direct.gov.uk

Where can I get information? – Commons information – Lords information