


Government ministers are required to come to Parliament regularly to answer questions, respond to issues raised in debates and keep both Houses informed of any important decisions they take. Members of both Houses of Parliament can speak up for us if a government department or agency treats us unfairly.

While many government powers have been delegated to the devolved institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, only the UK Government can speak on behalf of the UK and represent us abroad. welfare benefits like the State Pension.They set taxes, choose what to spend public money on and decide how best to deliver public services, such as: The Government is responsible for deciding how the country is run and for managing things, day to day. Government ministers also have seats in Parliament but most of their work is done in Government departments. They have often been chosen because of their achievements and experience. The House of Lords, whose members are mostly appointed for life rather than elected.This includes people in other political parties, as well as those in the winning party who were not chosen to be ministers. The House of Commons, where all the people we have elected at the General Election work, as MPs, for the next five years.Parliament is made up of people we have elected and people who have been appointed. The Government cannot make new laws or raise new taxes without Parliament's agreement. Parliament is there to represent our interests and make sure they are taken into account by the Government. The leader of the winning party is appointed as Prime Minister and chooses other party members to work in the Government with them - as Cabinet ministers and junior ministers. The political party that wins the most seats at a General Election takes charge of the Government for up to five years, until the next General Election. The Government are the people responsible for running the country. HM Government consists of the Prime Minister, their Cabinet and junior ministers, supported by the teams of non-political civil servants that work in government departments.
