The Leaders Council regularly hosts roundtable discussions on key areas of government policy. These feed into our special reports which are then passed on to the relevant committee in parliament.
If you are a Leaders Council member who would like to know about the latest select committee enquires, or upcoming Leaders Council roundtables, please contact your account manager.
But what are parliamentary committees?
Parliamentary committees are a key component of the British parliamentary system and play a vital role in the functioning of the country's democracy. These committees are responsible for scrutinizing government policies and activities, as well as holding government ministers and officials to account for their actions. In this article, we will explore the role, function, and history of parliamentary select committees in the UK.
The role of parliamentary committees is to provide a forum for discussion and examination of a wide range of subjects, from the activities of government departments to the operation of major industries and public services. These committees are tasked with holding government ministers and officials accountable for their decisions and actions, and ensuring that they are conducted in a transparent and responsible manner. They also provide an opportunity for MPs to question ministers and officials about the work of their departments, and to examine the evidence behind government policies.
Parliamentary committees provide independent and impartial scrutiny of government activities and policies. This is achieved through a combination of evidence-gathering and questioning, as well as the production of reports and recommendations. Select committees are typically composed of between 10 and 20 MPs from different political parties, who are appointed to the committee on the basis of their expertise and experience.
The first such committees were established in the 19th century in response to public concerns about government policies and activities. These early committees were relatively informal in nature and were primarily concerned with investigating specific issues or incidents. Over time, however, the role and function of parliamentary select committees evolved, and they became increasingly important in the UK's democratic process.
The modern era of parliamentary committees began in 1979, when a new system was introduced that gave committees more independence and powers to scrutinise government activities. Under the new system, committees were given the power to call witnesses, take evidence, and produce reports on a wide range of subjects. This marked a major shift in the relationship between the government and Parliament, and marked the beginning of a new era of scrutiny and accountability.
