Glossary

Paid Advocacy

A broad term for using a public position to promote an outside interest in return for payment or reward.

Paid Parliamentary Advice

A prohibited arrangement where an MP provides paid advice on parliamentary strategy, procedure or influence.

Pairing

An arrangement where two MPs from opposing sides agree not to vote so their absences balance out.

Paper Laid Before Parliament

A document formally presented to Parliament, often because legislation or procedure requires it.

Parliament Now

The UK Parliament service showing live information from the parliamentary annunciator system.

Parliament TV

The official live and archived video service for public UK Parliament proceedings.

Parliamentary Calendar

A public schedule showing when Parliament is sitting and what business is planned.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

Abbreviation: PCS

The independent House of Commons officer responsible for monitoring the Code of Conduct and registers.

Parliamentary Constituency

Abbreviation: Constituency

A geographical area represented by one MP in the House of Commons.

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

Abbreviation: POST

The UK Parliament office that produces impartial research on science and technology policy issues.

Parliamentary Paper

A paper formally published by, presented to, or ordered by one of the Houses of Parliament.

Parliamentary Privilege

The rights and protections Parliament needs to carry out its work effectively.

Parliamentary Timetable

The planned order and timing of parliamentary business.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

A junior ministerial rank within a government department.

Party Breakdown

A summary showing how recorded votes are distributed between political parties.

Payment Systems Regulator

Abbreviation: PSR

The regulator for payment systems in the UK.

Peer

A member of the House of Lords.

Periodic Adjournment

The formal procedural term for a recess.

Permanent Secretary

The most senior civil servant in a government department.

Personal Independence Payment

Abbreviation: PIP

A benefit for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities who need help with daily living or mobility costs.

Personal Statement

A short statement made by an MP or peer with permission, often to correct or explain a personal matter.

Petition

A formal request asking Parliament or one of its Houses to take action or consider an issue.

Petition Debate

A Westminster Hall debate on issues raised by one or more petitions.

Petitioner

A person or body that submits a petition to Parliament.

Petitions Committee

A Commons committee that considers e-petitions and public petitions.

Ping-pong

The stage when a bill moves between the Commons and Lords as they try to agree on amendments.

Poll Card

A card sent to a registered voter with information about where and when to vote.

Polling Day

The day on which voters cast their votes in an election.

Polling Place

The building or location where one or more polling stations are situated.

Polling Station

A place where voters go to cast their vote in person.

Postal Vote

A vote cast by post instead of in person at a polling station.

POSTnote

A short impartial briefing from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

Prayer Motion

A motion used to seek the annulment of a statutory instrument laid under the negative procedure.

Pre-legislative Scrutiny

The examination of a draft bill before it is formally introduced into Parliament.

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.

Private Bill

A bill that would change the law for specific individuals, organisations or localities rather than the general public.

Private Business

Parliamentary business relating to private bills or other matters affecting specific interests.

Private Member’s Bill

A bill introduced by an MP or peer who is not acting on behalf of the government.

Privilege Motion

A motion connected to parliamentary privilege, standards or possible contempt of Parliament.

Privy Council

A formal body that advises the monarch and handles certain constitutional and legal functions.

Procedural Motion

A motion about how parliamentary business should be handled, rather than the substantive policy question itself.

Procedure Committee

A Commons select committee that examines House of Commons procedure and practice.

Programme Motion

A motion that sets the timetable for a bill’s progress through the House of Commons.

Prorogation

The formal end of a parliamentary session.

Provisional Business

Business listed in advance but still subject to change.

Proxy Vote

A voting arrangement where someone votes on behalf of another registered voter.

Prudential Regulation Authority

Abbreviation: PRA

The Bank of England body responsible for prudential regulation of banks, insurers and major investment firms.

Public Accounts Committee

Abbreviation: PAC

A Commons select committee that examines public spending and value for money.

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Abbreviation: PACAC

A Commons select committee that scrutinises constitutional issues and public administration.

Public Bill

A bill that would change the law as it applies to the general public.

Public Bill Committee

A Commons committee that examines most bills in detail after Second Reading.

Public Bill Committee Sitting

Abbreviation: PBC sitting

A meeting of a Public Bill Committee to examine a bill in detail.

Public Expenditure

Money spent by government and public bodies.

Public Petition

A paper petition presented to the House of Commons by an MP.

Public Sector Net Borrowing

Abbreviation: PSNB

A measure of how much the public sector borrows over a period.