Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
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.
Adjournment Debate
A debate, usually on a specific issue, held without a vote on a substantive motion.
Affirmative Procedure
A process requiring Parliament to approve a piece of delegated legislation before it can take effect.
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.
Annually Managed Expenditure
Abbreviation: AME
Public spending that is demand-led or harder to control within fixed departmental limits.
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.