United Kingdom

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is an independent body created by the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009. Its role is to scrutinise issues relating to allowances for members of the House of Lords and House of Commons. It was set up in the wake of the 2009 MPs expenses scandals. Its website provides information on its aims, function, remit and membership. It includes press releases, minutes of board meetings, a copy of the expenses scheme and other relevant documents.

Parliamentary Archives

This is the official website of the Parliamentary Archives which contains the official archives of the House of Commons, House of Lords and other records relating to parliament. Its holdings include all records and journals from the House of Commons from 1834 to the present day and the archives of David Lloyd George. Its website provides basic information on holdings, services offered and access. Links are provided to guides for researchers and other sites containing digitised parliamentary documents.

TheyWorkForYou.com

TheyWorkForYou.com is maintained by a group of volunteers in order for members of the public to be able to easily access information about the work and parliamentary activity of their local MP. It offers a searchable database of Hansard parliamentary debates. Users may enter a postcode or MPs name to retrieve all speeches and questions by him or her from 1988 to date. Information is taken from Hansard. Other features of the site include news of recent important debates and a glossary of parliamentary terms.

UK Parliament website

Website of the UK Parliament, providing information about the work of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and of the parliamentary committees. Also includes Hansard, the official report of debates and other parliamentary proceedings, committee reports, briefing papers, news and directories of members of parliament and peers.

Government Whips Office

The Government Whips' Office at the House of Lords provides support to the Chief Whip to enable Bills to pass through the House. The website has information on the whips and factsheets and briefing notes on Bills. There is also information on forthcoming business, oral questions and speakers in the House of Lords.

House of Commons

House of Commons section of the UK Parliament website, providing a information about the work of the House and about Members of Parliament. News items cover recent debates and the work of the Commons Committees. There are links to select committee reports, Hansard debates, current bills, briefing notes and the Summary Agenda and Order of Business. The site also includes a database of Early Day Motions (formal motions for debate which allow MPs to raise issues in which they are interested).

Standards for England

Archived website of Standards for England (Standards Board for England), a non-departmental public body which was abolished in 2012. Standards for England was the strategic regulator with responsibility for promoting high standards of conduct amongst councillors and members of local public authorities in England. Its website includes reports of meetings and information on the Code of Conduct and local standards framework. Summaries of completed investigations can be browsed or searched on the site.

Waterways Ombudsman

Website of the Waterways Ombudsman the body that investigates complaints about British Waterways and their subsidiaries once British Waterways’ own complaints procedure has been exhausted. There is information on making a complaint and guidance on how complaints are handled. Annual reports are provided in full text and include summaries of decisions taken by the Waterways Ombudsman. Other documentation, such as standards and policies, is also provided on the site.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

The Parliamentary Ombudsman investigates complaints about the action or inaction of British government departments. They also handle some issues brought by members of the public. Additionally the department performs the role of Health Service Ombudsman, investigating complaints from the public about failures in NHS care and treatment. The website offers a summary of its duties and information for the general public on when to use the ombudsman service and how to make a complaint. An additional feature is the full-text annual reports, investigation reports and consultation documents.

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