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How to work with select committees
Find out how to write a submission and provide oral evidence that can steer government debate and policy.
What are Select Committees?
Parliamentary select committees are one of the key ways that the UK parliament holds the Government to account. There are select committees in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords – some permanent and some temporary.
Each select committee comprises a small group of MPs and/or Peers who come together to scrutinise the work of the Government, looking at specific policy issues or legislation in detail. Select committees' work includes undertaking inquiries, which consider opinions and evidence from various sources, including industry, the public and academia.
There is a House of Commons select committee for each government department – with the remit of examining the department’s spending, policies and administration. In the House of Lords, permanent committees cover broad subject areas, while special inquiry committees investigate a specific issue.
Following an inquiry, committees publish their recommendations to Government. The Government usually has 60 days to respond.
Why work with select committees?
Working with select committees is an excellent way to raise awareness of your research, build your reputation and generate impact. Select committee reports are highly respected sources of information that often steer government debate and policy.
Suggesting topics for investigation
Anyone can suggest topics for investigation to select committees. It can be helpful to build a relationship with an MP on a particular committee – either a local MP or someone who is interested in your area of research.
Submitting written evidence to an inquiry
The Policy@Sussex engagement roundup email includes details of all current select committee calls for evidence. Sign up to our email list by contacting policyteam@sussex.ac.uk. You can also view current select committee calls for evidence here.
Specifications and instructions on how to submit written evidence are usually included on the call for evidence page. All written evidence is published on the committee’s webpage and is read by a member of the committee secretariat, who will then go on to prepare briefing notes for committee members and invite people to provide oral evidence.
Tips on writing a submission
Address the questions
Each call for evidence will typically provide a set of questions. You do not have to answer every question, but you should use the relevant questions as headings to structure your response and clearly explain how your evidence answers these questions.
Select committees cannot accept evidence that has been published elsewhere so it’s best to write an original submission. You should still add references to published work.
Write for your audience
Many committee members may only have 10 minutes to grasp your key findings and recommendations. Including a bullet point summary gives them a better chance of digesting your submission. Make sure you write so that a non-specialist can understand: explain your ideas clearly and succinctly, avoid jargon and spell out acronyms.
Focus on key findings and recommendations
You don’t need to explain your research project or methodology – just the relevant findings. Committees are ultimately looking to make recommendations, so if you can provide clear recommendations based on your evidence - rather than just stating what the problems are - you will increase your chances of being called to give oral evidence, being cited in the final report, and ultimately having an impact on policy.
Consider how you can help the committee
Explain how your experience and knowledge puts you in a unique place to help the committee. You might also want to suggest important questions that you think the committee should ask the Government.
Submit as early as possible
Sending in your submission early can increase your chance of being included in any briefing materials and being invited to submit oral evidence to the committee.
Providing oral evidence
After you have submitted your written evidence, the committee clerk might invite you to provide oral evidence to the committee. An oral evidence session involves committee members putting questions to expert witnesses.
If you are keen to give oral evidence, call the committee staff as soon as possible after the launch of an inquiry. - click on 'Membership' to find the contact details. You can ask them what they think the committee is especially interested in and promote yourself as an expert in the area. It is best to do this before the deadline for written submissions.
Giving oral evidence to Parliament is generally a public process – press representatives may be present, proceedings are transcribed and later published online.
Sessions are also usually .
Tips on giving oral evidence
Arrive in good time
Make sure you know where you’re going and give yourself plenty of time. Security procedures can be slow and rooms can be hard to find, so factor this into your schedule.
Be prepared
If you are invited to give oral evidence, committee clerks will be in touch with the meeting details, including information about other invited witnesses and the likely lines of questioning.
Summarise your key points into one or two sentences. Although committees may prefer to get questioning underway immediately, you may want to make a short opening statement before questioning begins.
Keep to your brief
Try to identify two to three simple core messages and stick to them. Ensure these statements are clear.
Focus on your research: keep your evidence independent and neutral.
Make your points memorable
Providing answers consistent with the main points of your written evidence (as highlighted in the bullet-point summary) will not only help to reinforce your key messages but will also enable the committee to link back to your written work and include references to it in their report.
Seize the opportunity for networking and raising awareness of your work
It is worth trying to build relationships with committee members and staff as a means to suggesting ideas or specific questions for future inquiries.
Find out more
- Search for
- - recording of an online training session about how to work with select committees as a researcher (approximately 30 minutes long)
- - recording of an online training session about how select committees use research findings and expertise as evidence, and the role of specialist advisors (approximately 55 minutes long).