Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Abstention
A decision not to vote for either side, or a broader description of not recording a vote.
Academy Trust
A charitable company responsible for running one or more academy schools in England.
Act of Parliament
Abbreviation: Act
A law that has completed the parliamentary process and received Royal Assent.
Acting Returning Officer
Abbreviation: ARO
The official who runs a UK parliamentary election in a constituency.
Adjournment Debate
A debate, usually on a specific issue, held without a vote on a substantive motion.
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.
Affirmative Procedure
A process requiring Parliament to approve a piece of delegated legislation before it can take effect.
All-Party Parliamentary Group
Abbreviation: APPG
An informal cross-party group of MPs and peers with no official status within Parliament.
Allocation of Time Motion
A motion limiting the time available for debate on a bill or other business.
Amendment
A proposed change to the wording of a bill, motion, or other parliamentary text.
Amendment Paper
A parliamentary paper listing amendments tabled to a bill or motion.
Annually Managed Expenditure
Abbreviation: AME
Public spending that is demand-led or harder to control within fixed departmental limits.
Annunciator
The parliamentary system that displays live information about current business in the Commons and Lords.
Appropriation Act
An Act that authorises the use of public money for approved government spending.
Artificial Intelligence
Abbreviation: AI
Technology that can perform tasks normally associated with human intelligence, such as analysing information or generating responses.
Attorney General’s Office
Abbreviation: AGO
The government legal office that supports the Attorney General and Solicitor General.
Ayes
The votes cast in favour of a motion or question in a parliamentary division.