Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Schedule
A part of a bill or Act containing detailed provisions connected to the main clauses or sections.
Scheduled Business
Parliamentary business planned for a particular date or sitting.
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Abbreviation: SITC
A Commons select committee that scrutinises science, research, innovation and technology policy.
Scottish Government
The devolved government for Scotland.
Scottish Parliament
The devolved legislature for Scotland.
Second Job
A public-facing term for paid work an MP does outside their parliamentary role.
Second Reading
The stage where Parliament debates the main principles and purpose of a bill.
Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee
Abbreviation: SLSC
A House of Lords committee that examines secondary legislation and draws important instruments to the House’s attention.
Secretary of State
A senior government minister, usually responsible for a government department.
Select Committee
A cross-party committee that examines the work of government departments, public bodies, or specific issues.
Select Committee Inquiry
A formal investigation by a select committee into a topic, department, or public issue.
Senedd Cymru
Abbreviation: Senedd
The devolved legislature for Wales.
Session
The period during which Parliament conducts business between one State Opening and the next.
Sessional Order
An order made for the duration of a parliamentary session.
Seven Principles of Public Life
The ethical principles for public office holders, also known as the Nolan Principles.
Sewel Convention
A constitutional convention about Westminster legislating on devolved matters.
Shadow Minister
An opposition frontbench spokesperson who scrutinises a government minister or policy area.
Shareholdings
A category of MPs’ financial interests covering certain company shares or securities.
Sitting
A meeting of either House of Parliament, or of a committee.
Sitting Day
A day on which a House of Parliament meets to conduct business.
Sitting Hours
The usual times during which a House meets to conduct business.
Skeleton Bill
A bill containing broad principles but leaving much of the detail to be filled in later by delegated legislation.
Small and Medium-sized Enterprise
Abbreviation: SME
A business below a certain size, often used in policy about smaller firms.
Speaker of the House of Commons
Abbreviation: Speaker
The MP elected by the House of Commons to chair debates and maintain order.
Speaker’s Warrant
The formal instruction from the Speaker that leads to a new writ for a Commons by-election.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Abbreviation: SEND
Support needs affecting a child or young person’s learning, development, health or access to education.
Special Report
A committee report published for a specific purpose, often to respond to government replies or present particular material.
Spending Review
A government process setting departmental spending plans over a future period.
Spring Statement
A fiscal statement usually delivered by the Chancellor outside the main Budget.
Standards Investigation
An inquiry into whether an MP may have breached the House of Commons Code of Conduct or related rules.
Standing Order
A formal rule governing how Parliament or one of its Houses conducts business.
State Opening of Parliament
The formal ceremony that marks the start of a parliamentary session.
Statutory Consultation
A consultation that the law requires to take place before a decision, regulation, or other action is taken.
Statutory Guidance
Official guidance issued under legal authority, which public bodies may be required to follow or take into account.
Statutory Instrument
Abbreviation: SI
A form of secondary legislation made under powers granted by an Act of Parliament.
Statutory Instrument Committee
A general term for a committee arrangement used to consider statutory instruments.
Statutory Instrument Vote
Abbreviation: SI vote
A parliamentary vote on delegated legislation, usually a statutory instrument or draft statutory instrument.
Summer Recess
The main summer break in parliamentary sittings.
Sunset Clause
A provision causing part of a law to expire automatically at a set time unless renewed.
Super-affirmative Procedure
An enhanced scrutiny procedure giving Parliament more time and opportunity to consider delegated legislation before approval.
Supplementary Estimate
An in-year request to change the amount or purpose of spending already authorised by Parliament.
Supply Estimate
A document asking Parliament to authorise government spending for a department or service.
Suspension from the House
A sanction preventing an MP from sitting in the House for a specified period.