Research Briefing

An impartial parliamentary research publication explaining an issue, bill, debate or policy area.

Also used as: research briefing, research briefings, parliamentary research briefing, briefing paper, briefing papers

Official website: Search UK Parliament research briefings

Source / explainer: Read UK Parliament information on research publications

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

A Research Briefing is an impartial parliamentary research publication explaining an issue, bill, debate or policy area. Briefings may be produced by the House of Commons Library, House of Lords Library or the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. They are useful background sources but are different from formal records such as Hansard or Votes in Parliament.

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