Successful forms of parliamentary scrutiny

What does every government department have?

Question times in the HOC

What are question times compared to PMQs

less well attended but more detailed and serious

What do departmental questions allow shadow ministers and backbenchers to do?

scrutinise government policies and records on specific areas

Who are the questions monitored by?

The speaker to ensure they are relevant

When who was Home secretary in 2023 what was the asked

Suella Braverman was frequently asked about

migration

Rwanda plan

small boat crossings

What can any MP do?

ask urgent question in the HOC

When are URGENT QUESTIONS usually asked?

following a major crisis or event

Who are urgent questions directed at?

appropriate minister or PM

What has increased in recent years?

The amount of urgent questions asked

How many urgent questions did Boris Johnson Government face?

224

How many urgent questions did Tony Blair face?

28

What can select committees do to scrutinise?

summon ministers and special advisors

What are select committees?

cross-party groups of backbench MPs who are elected by fellow MPs to scrutinise certain areas of policy

What does the Treasury select committee scrutinise?

Economic policy

What has happened since the Wright Reforms 2010

select committee chair have been elected

What has select committee chairs being elected led to?

many senior MPs becoming select committee chairs

Who can be asked questions at select committees

Ministers and special advisors

Who was questioned by the Home Affairs Select Committee about what in 2018

Amber Rudd was questioned about the Windrush Scandal

Why did Amber Rudd resign? What does this show

After being accused of misleading the select committee

Power of the select committees

Who is the highest profile select committee?

Liaison Committee

How often and for how long do the Liaison committee meet for

around an hour and a half two to three times a year

Who and what do the Liaison committee question

The PM on every aspect of Government policy

What was Boris Johnson questioned on by the Liaison Committee?

Covid 19

UK preparation for Russia invasion

Why was BOJO controversial with the Liaison committee

he postponed 3 scheduled meetings with them

What was Rishi asked on in 2023?

Israel- Gaza

asylum claims

energy bills

What can the HOC pass in the executive branch to scrutinise?

pass a motion of no confidence

What is a motion of no confidence?

When the commons votes on whether it still has confidence in the executive branch

What is the most effective way of the commons holding the executive to account?

Motion of no confidence

What happens if the motion of no confidence is passed?

An immediate general election is called unless Gov decides to resign

When was the last successful vote of no confidence?

1979 when James Callaghan Labour lost to MT vote of no confidence

She then won a majority of 43 seats

Who survived a confidence vote?

Theresa May in 2019