Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Office for Budget Responsibility
Abbreviation: OBR
The independent body that produces forecasts and analysis of the UK public finances.
Office for Environmental Protection
Abbreviation: OEP
The body that scrutinises and enforces environmental law in England and Northern Ireland.
Office for National Statistics
Abbreviation: ONS
The UK’s official statistics body, responsible for producing and publishing national statistics.
Office for Product Safety and Standards
Abbreviation: OPSS
The public body responsible for product safety and standards policy and enforcement support.
Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills
Abbreviation: Ofsted
The body that inspects and regulates education, children’s services and skills provision in England.
Office for Students
Abbreviation: OfS
The independent regulator for higher education in England.
Office of Communications
Abbreviation: Ofcom
The UK regulator for communications services, broadcasting, postal services, spectrum and online services.
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets
Abbreviation: Ofgem
The energy regulator for Great Britain.
Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation
Abbreviation: Ofqual
The regulator of qualifications, exams and assessments in England.
Office of Rail and Road
Abbreviation: ORR
The regulator for rail safety, rail performance and parts of the strategic road network.
Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists
Abbreviation: ORCL
The independent statutory office responsible for keeping and publishing the Register of Consultant Lobbyists.
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.
Official Report
The formal edited report of parliamentary debates, commonly known as Hansard.
Opposition Day Debate
A debate chosen by an opposition party rather than by the government.
Oral Evidence
Evidence given by witnesses speaking directly to a parliamentary committee.
Oral Question
A question asked aloud in the chamber, with a minister answering in person.
Oral Statement
A spoken statement made by a minister in the chamber, followed by questions from members.
Order in Council
A type of legal instrument formally made through the Privy Council.
Order of Business
The order in which parliamentary business is scheduled to be taken.
Order of Oral Questions
The rota and order for departments to answer oral questions in the Commons.
Order Paper
The official list of business scheduled for a sitting day in Parliament.
Outside Employment
Paid work or roles held by an MP outside their parliamentary duties.