Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Attorney General’s Office
Abbreviation: AGO
The government legal office that supports the Attorney General and Solicitor General.
Border Force
The Home Office command responsible for securing the UK border.
Committee of Privileges
Abbreviation: Privileges Committee
A Commons committee that considers matters relating to parliamentary privilege referred to it by the House.
Committee on Standards
Abbreviation: Standards Committee
A Commons committee concerned with standards of conduct for MPs.
Crown Prosecution Service
Abbreviation: CPS
The public body responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Abbreviation: EHRC
The equality and human rights regulator for Great Britain.
European Convention on Human Rights
Abbreviation: ECHR
An international human rights treaty setting out rights and freedoms protected across member states of the Council of Europe.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Abbreviation: HMCTS
The executive agency responsible for administering courts and tribunals in England and Wales and some UK-wide tribunals.
HM Prison and Probation Service
Abbreviation: HMPPS
The agency responsible for prisons and probation services in England and Wales.
Home Affairs Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises the Home Office and related policy areas.
Home Office
Abbreviation: HO
The UK Government department responsible for immigration, policing, national security and public safety.
Joint Committee on Human Rights
Abbreviation: JCHR
A committee of MPs and peers that examines legislation and policy for compatibility with human rights standards.
Justice Committee
A Commons select committee that scrutinises justice policy, courts, prisons, probation and the Ministry of Justice.
Ministry of Defence
Abbreviation: MoD
The UK Government department responsible for defence policy, the armed forces and national military security.
Ministry of Justice
Abbreviation: MoJ
The UK Government department responsible for courts, prisons, probation and justice policy in England and Wales.
National Crime Agency
Abbreviation: NCA
The UK law enforcement agency focused on serious and organised crime.
UK Visas and Immigration
Abbreviation: UKVI
The Home Office body responsible for visas, immigration applications and related services.