Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Advisory Committee on Business Appointments
Abbreviation: ACOBA
The former advisory committee that considered some applications under the Business Appointment Rules until its functions were transferred in 2025.
Attorney General’s Office
Abbreviation: AGO
The government legal office that supports the Attorney General and Solicitor General.
Business Appointment Rules
Abbreviation: BARs
Rules applying when former ministers, civil servants and some Crown servants take up roles after leaving office.
Business Questions
Questions to the Leader of the House about forthcoming Commons business.
Cabinet Office
Abbreviation: CO
The government department that supports the Prime Minister, Cabinet and the effective running of government.
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Abbreviation: Chancellor
The senior minister responsible for the Treasury and the UK’s economic and fiscal policy.
Civil Service Commission
The independent body now providing Business Appointment Rules advice for some senior Crown servants.
Committee on Standards in Public Life
Abbreviation: CSPL
The advisory body that promotes high ethical standards across public life.
Government Business
Parliamentary business arranged by the Government, usually taking priority in the Commons.
Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards
The adviser who supports the Prime Minister and ministers on ministerial standards and interests.
Leader of the House of Commons
Abbreviation: Leader of the House
The government minister responsible for organising government business in the Commons.
List of Ministers’ Interests
A published statement of relevant interests of government ministers.
Lobbying
Making the case for a policy, cause or interest directly to a decision-maker in order to influence decisions.
Minister
A member of the government with responsibility for a policy area or department.
Ministerial Code
The Prime Minister’s code setting out standards and guidance for government ministers.
Ministerial Statement
A statement made by a minister to bring an important matter to Parliament’s attention.
Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Abbreviation: Scotland Office
The UK Government department representing Scotland’s interests in the UK Government and reserved UK matters in Scotland.
Office of the Secretary of State for Wales
Abbreviation: Wales Office
The UK Government department representing Wales’s interests in the UK Government and reserved UK matters in Wales.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
A junior ministerial rank within a government department.
Permanent Secretary
The most senior civil servant in a government department.
Prime Minister
Abbreviation: PM
The head of the UK Government.
Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Abbreviation: No. 10
The office supporting the Prime Minister and issuing official statements from 10 Downing Street.
Prime Minister’s Questions
Abbreviation: PMQs
The weekly Commons session in which the Prime Minister answers questions from MPs.
Secretary of State
A senior government minister, usually responsible for a government department.
Seven Principles of Public Life
The ethical principles for public office holders, also known as the Nolan Principles.
Shadow Minister
An opposition frontbench spokesperson who scrutinises a government minister or policy area.
Written Statement
A written statement by a minister placed on the parliamentary record.