Parliamentary scrutiny activities are informed by and contribute to the investigations and analysis undertaken by a complex web of statutory and non-statutory bodies, whose key goal is to improve the effectiveness of government.

Firstly, during the first session of the programme, we shall review the fundamentals of scrutiny in general, including defining scrutiny as an activity that examines the expenditure, administration, and policies of the government, with a primary purpose of improving its processes and outcomes.

Secondly, we shall dig deeper into how parliamentary scrutiny operates, and identify the key participants in the role of scrutinising government. In defining the task, we shall also identify how parliamentary scrutiny has impacted policies, practices, and outcomes in some popular democracies including the UK, EU, and USA. Drawing on this definition we will put forward a framework of seven types of positive impact that scrutiny can have on government, as well as identifying some examples of potential negative impacts that may arise from scrutiny.

Finally, in the first part of this essential programme, participants will develop a sound understanding of what “good scrutiny” looks like, especially the outcomes to expect and look for.

In the second session of the programme, we shall focus specifically on parliamentary scrutiny. Firstly, we shall consider the factors that, taken together, make parliamentary scrutiny distinctive. We shall further examine the outcomes of parliamentary scrutiny as well as consider the key mechanisms that produce such impact, these will include debates, questions, and committees.

Attendees will discuss the types of impact that are best able to deliver successful results, by careful review of each of the 3 key mechanisms. Finally, in this session, we will look at how we might measure the performance of parliamentary scrutiny with the aim of drawing some expectations about new approaches that can enhance the beneficial impact of parliamentary scrutiny on government policies, processes, and outcomes.

The programme will be facilitated by expert insiders in the Parliament with unique insight and experience in the work and daily life of parliamentary activities. It is a must-attend for anyone who has anything to do with parliamentary tasks in developing democracies, such as MPs, parliamentary civil servants, lawyers, lobbyists, and others who oversee parliaments and international bodies.

An opportunity to see first-hand how colleagues carry out parliamentary scrutiny activities in the UK House of Commons will be availed to participants where the course is held in the UK (conditions apply).