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Research, Impact and the UK Parliament

Professor Richard Davies: Newcastle UniversityKate Anderson: UK Parliament Universities ProgrammeDr Caroline Kenny: Parliamentary Office of Science and TechnologyAshlee Godwin: Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy

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AimsTo increase the diversity of the academics who engage with the UK Parliament• By the end of the workshops, you will understand:

• what the UK Parliament is and what it does; • where academics are engaging; and• how you can get involved.

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The UK Parliament is made up of:

a) House of Commons and House of Lordsb) House of Commons and Governmentc) Government and Monarchd) House of Commons, House of Lords

and Monarch

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What is Parliament?

House of Commons

The Monarch(The Queen)

House of Lords

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How many MPs are there in the House of Commons?

a) 678b) 664c) 650d) 659

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What is the House of Commons?• Democratically elected

Chamber of Parliament

• 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected at least every five years

• The party, or parties, with a majority in the House of Commons form the UK Government.

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How can people become members of the House of Lords?a) Members of the public nominate themb) An independent Commission recommends themc) The Prime Minister chooses themd) Their titles are passed down to them through their familye) All of the above

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Who sits in the House of Lords? Life peersElected hereditary peersBishops and Archbishops

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Which TWO answers describe the work of the UK Parliament?

a) running Government departmentsb) checking up on the work of Governmentc) being the highest court of appeal in the UKd) making new laws

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What do the Commons and the Lords do?Make new laws and change existing lawsScrutinise the UK GovernmentRaise and debate key issues

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What doesn’t the House of Lords do?

The House of Lords doesn’t approve taxes and Government spendingThe House of Lords doesn’t block Bills that were in a Government’s manifestoThe Lords can only delay new laws the Government want to pass, not stop them completely

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The UK GovernmentThe party with (usually) the majority of seats in the House of Commons forms the Government

The Government:

Runs public departments (e.g. Home Office)

Proposes new laws to the UK Parliament

Is accountable to Parliament

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UK Parliament UK Government

• Commons, Lords and Monarch• Holds Government to account • Makes laws• Enables the Government to raise and

spend money

• Some MPs and some Lords, chosen by the Prime Minister

• Runs Government departments and public services

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How does the UK Parliament use research?• House of Commons Select Committees• House of Lords Select Committees• Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)• House of Commons Library• House of Lords Library• Public Bill Committees

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How does the UK Parliament use research?• House of Commons Select Committees• House of Lords Select Committees• Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)

• All-Party Parliamentary Groups

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Breakout groups

• Academics and the UK Parliament

• Engaging with UK Parliamentarians

• What is good Select Committee evidence?