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Select committees currently accepting written evidence (compiled 13 November 2024)

Please click the title of any inquiry listed below to be taken to a summary of that inquiry and the full call for evidence. Remember that you don’t have to answer every question posed in each call for evidence.

New calls for evidence launched since 30 October 2024: 

All other inquiries currently accepting written evidence:

Why should I engage? Submitting evidence to a select committee can lead to further engagement, such as an invitation to give oral evidence. Your submission will be published on the Committee webpage. Your insights may inform the Committee’s conclusions or the recommendations it makes to the Government. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament. You can also read more on engagement for impact

More information: Explore all select committee inquiries currently open for submissions of written evidence.

Resources: Find guidance on submitting evidence to select committees on the KEU’s ‘how to guides’ page. Watch our 30 minute online training session “How to work with select committees”

Help make the House of Commons more effective

The Modernisation Committee is asking for views on what topics it should prioritise for action as it develops its work programme. The new Committee has been set up to “consider reforms to House of Commons procedures, standards, and working practices.”

About this opportunity

Commenting on the call for views, the Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Leader of the House of Commons and Chair of the Modernisation Committee, said:

“In recent years the reputation of Parliament has been tarnished. The Modernisation Committee is up and running looking at how it can change Parliament to raise standards, improve working practices and culture and make House of Commons procedures more effective.”

The Committee wants to hear your ideas on work it could take forward, covering the strategic aims of: 

  • driving up standards; 
  • improving culture and working practices; and 
  • reforming Parliamentary procedures to make the House of Commons more effective.

What is the deadline for submissions?
The Committee is inviting submissions of no more than 2500 words by 3pm, 16 December 2024. Click here to find out more and make a submission. 

Why should I engage? Sharing your views could help shape the future work programme of the Committee. Your insights may inform the Committee’s future inquiries, or the recommendations it makes on House of Commons procedures and standards. Submitting evidence to a select committee can lead to further engagement, such as an invitation to give oral evidence. Your submission will be published on the Committee webpage.

More information: Learn more about about the Modernisation Committee’s work on their website. Read more about the call for views on the Committee’s work programme here.

Resources: Find guidance on submitting evidence to select committees on the KEU’s ‘how to guides’ page. Watch our 30 minute online training session “How to work with select committees”

Pitch Parliament an international development inquiry

Which international development issue should MPs explore? 

Parliament’s International Development Committee (IDC) is calling for ideas. Up to 10 individuals will be invited to pitch their ideas to the Committee with the hope of shaping an inquiry. 

Who can get involved?
Anyone is welcome to submit an idea, whether from the UK or overseas. The Committee is particularly interested in hearing from people under-represented in international development debates, such as those with direct experience of aid, vulnerable groups or inter-disciplinary researchers. 

About this opportunity
Proposals should fall within the Committee’s remit to examine the international aid functions of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Official Development Assistance (ODA) across Government departments. 

Issues relevant to the Committee could include poverty reduction, humanitarian support, good governance, energy and climate change, food security and nutrition, global health and the rights of women and girls. 

Full terms of reference for proposals are available on the Committee’s website. Guiding questions include: 

  • Why should the International Development Committee examine this area? 
  • Why is it the right time for the Committee to examine the area? 
  • Why would this area benefit from parliamentary scrutiny (that is, the close investigation of Government policies, actions and spending)? 

What is the deadline for submissions?
The Committee is inviting submissions of up to 500 words, outlining potential inquiry ideas, by Monday 9 December. Click here to make a submission.

Why should I engage? Select committees check and report on areas ranging from the work of government departments and public bodies to topical issues in their policy area through inquiries on specific topics.

The outcomes of these inquiries are public and many make recommendations to the government which require an official response. Bringing a key issue to the Committee’s attention could lead to an inquiry into the work of government in this area.

More information: Learn more about about the International Development Committee’s work on their website. Read more about pitching Parliament an international development inquiry here.

Resources: Find guidance on submitting evidence to select committees on the KEU’s ‘how to guides’ page. Watch our 30 minute online training session “How to work with select committees”

Work with us as a Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Specialist

The House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is recruiting a Committee Specialist.

The Committee Specialist will work collaboratively with colleagues to provide policy advice and analysis for the Committee. You will be asked to develop expertise in the Committee’s area of work. You will advise on, arrange and lead committee inquiries. You will provide written and oral briefing to support committee hearings and produce reports to communicate committee findings.

You will also support their media and public engagement work. You will work closely with the MPs and Peers who sit on the committee, as well as engaging with high-profile individuals and organisations in the public, private and third sectors within the committee’s areas of interest.

This is a permanent role. You can find the full details of the role, the salary, and apply for the role here.

The deadline for applications is 1 December 2024.

Why should I engage? Being a committee specialist allows individuals to work at the heart of parliamentary scrutiny and experience working within a select committee team. Specialists become involved in a wide cross-section of work including informing inquiry work, preparing briefing materials for MPs, selecting oral witnesses, helping to run inquiries, analysing evidence, developing reports and preparing conclusions. Find out more about select committees here.

More information: Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. And find more on engagement for impact here.

Reminder: apply for a Midlands Innovation Fellowship with POST

There is still time to apply for one of two Midlands Innovation-funded fellowships with POST.

The scheme is open to applicants who are currently completing or have recently completed a PhD in a subject related to biology, life sciences and social sciences at an eligible institution.

The two successful applicants will be based in UK Parliament for 13 weeks from April 2025, supporting its use of research evidence in scrutiny and decision making. This will typically involve producing a POSTnote policy briefing which will be published on the UK Parliament website. Fellows can delve into novel and exciting areas of research, develop a unique understanding of how research informs policy in the UK Parliament, and forge relationships with key stakeholders.

To find out more, including information on how to apply, please click here. The deadline for applications is 27 November 2024 at 23:55.

Why should I engage? Fellowships at parliament offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the epicentre of policy-making from the inside. By the end of their time within their parliamentary host team fellows learn how to write for policy with balance and impartiality, how select committees are structured and run inquiries, and how research and evidence is utilised in parliament. They also develop a unique understanding of Westminster and forge important relationships with key stakeholders, while often delving into a novel and exciting topic of research or a hot policy topic. Find out more about what a POST fellowship is like and the opportunities it can lead to.

More information: Find out more about POST fellowships.
Watch an interview with a previous POST fellow to learn about her experience

Reminder: attend our next Parliament for Researchers training (arts)

In our upcoming Parliament for Researchers online training event, Baroness Bull, a long-time champion of the arts, will discuss the value of academic research in Parliament, informed by her background in the research sector and extensive career in the creative industries.
 
We are also delighted to be joined by Dr Helen McCabe, Parliament’s Thematic Research Lead for Arts and Humanities, who will share insights on the role of arts research in Parliament and how researchers in these disciplines can share their expertise.

About the session 
During the session, you will find out how research evidence is used in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and how you can work with Parliament as a researcher. You will also be able to pose your questions to our speakers.

Who is this for?  
This session is suitable for early career researchers, PhD students and researchers who are new to engaging with the UK Parliament as well as those who would benefit from a refresher. The session will be relevant for researchers of all academic backgrounds and may be of particular interest to those in the arts and humanities.

How to register
Click here to register to attend the session on Tuesday 26 November, 13:00-14:00.

Why should I engage? Parliament for Researchers with the House of Lords training sessions offer a unique opportunity to learn more about the UK Parliament and how it uses research from the perspective of a Member of the House of Lords. The sessions also contain practical information and advice on how to engage with Parliament as a researcher, including details on select committees, the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries, POST, and working with individual Parliamentarians.

More information: Find out about upcoming sessions and how to sign up here. You can also find recordings of previous training sessions here.

When a piano tuner met the Prime Minister and other stories

According to Alf Morris, former MP for Wythenshawe, Manchester, ‘for a back-bench MP, first place in the Private Members’ ballot is the most coveted prize in the lottery of parliamentary life’. Morris used his winning ballot to introduce a bill which would become the landmark 1970 Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act. Championing the bill too, were parliamentarian and disability rights champion, Jack Ashley MP, and Paralympian and member of the House of Lords, Baroness Darcy De Knayth.

In 1969, the year prior, a petition was launched as part of the campaign for social security payments for disabled people, also supported by Ashley. 2021 marked the centenary of the Royal British Legion, who advocated extensively for the rights of ex-servicemen. Looking back further, 1920 saw piano tuner and National League of the Blind leader Ben Purse meet with then Prime Minister David Lloyd George, and the Blind Persons Act given Royal Assent.

So what?
To mark Disability History Month we’re sharing a selection of blog articles from the Parliamentary Archives, and one from the Petitions Committee. As well as being a great resource to learn about some of the people and legislation that have helped shape disability rights in the UK, these articles provide some excellent examples of how engaging with Parliament can lead to real change.

Find out more

Read an article on the race to pass the 1970 Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act

Read about Jack Ashley

Find out more about Baroness Darcy De Knayth

Learn about the campaign for social security payments for disabled people

Find out more about the work of the Petitions Committee

Read an article on 100 years of the Royal British Legion

Get the full story of when a piano tuner met the Prime Minister