What do MPs do?
MPs split their time between working in Parliament and working in the constituency. In Parliament, MPs spend their time fighting for the interests of their constituents, attending debates, scrutinising and voting on legislation, and attending meetings. They consider and vote on legislation and use their position to ask government ministers questions about current issues.
In the constituency, MPs hold advice surgeries for their constituents to come and talk to them about local issues and problems, attend meetings and community events, as well as visiting local organisations and businesses.
Members of Parliament are able to help with all matters for which Parliament or central government are responsible and are able to take up issues with other government departments on your behalf. A list of government departments is below and you can, of course, contact these departments directly if you'd prefer.
Alternatively, if a constituent is happy for the issue to be made public, an MP can ask an oral or written question, secure a debate or petition Parliament.
Oral or written questions
Once a month each minister from each government department answer questions from MPs at the Dispatch Box. There is a limit to the number of questions that can be asked. MPs can also table a written question to the relevant Government department, which are published in Hansard. http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/
Adjournment Debate
MPs may be able to raise a constituent's issue in a half-hour Adjournment Debate. To get an adjournment debate, MPs must be successful in a ballot of Members of Parliament or have the subject chosen by the Speaker. The debates are usually the last business of the day and a government minister responds at the end of the debate.
Petition
Members of Parliament can present a petition to Parliament on behalf of their constituents. The format and wording of the petition need to be in a particular way. For more information or guidance, please contact -
Clerk of Public PetitionsJournal OfficeHouse of CommonsLondonSW1A 0AA
http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/have-your-say/petitioning/public-…
List of Government Departments
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills http://www.bis.gov.uk/ Tel: 020 7215 5000
Responsible for Government policy on business, trade, enterprise, universities, further education and science.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport http://www.culture.gov.uk/ Tel: 020 7211 6000
Responsible for Government policy on culture, the arts, media, gambling, the national lottery, sport and the Olympics.
Foreign Office http: //www.fco.gov.uk/ Tel: 020 7008 1500
Responsible for Government policy on foreign affairs and diplomacy. The Foreign Office is also responsible for Consular services, travel advice and sanctions implemented by the UK.
Home Office http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ Tel: 020 7035 4745
Responsible for Government policy on crime, the police, counter terrorism, alcohol, drugs, immigration and passports.
Department for Defence http://www.mod.uk/ Tel: 020 7218 9000
Responsible for Government policy on all defence issues.
Department for Education http://www.education.gov.uk/ Tel: 0370 000 2288
Responsible for Government policy on schools in England, children, young people, families, education and training for 16 to 19 year olds, school standards and teacher training.
Department for Energy and Climate Change http://www.decc.gov.uk/ Tel: 0300 060 4000
Responsible for Government policy on energy and climate change.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs http://www.defra.gov.uk/ Tel: 08459 33 55 77
Responsible for Government policy on the natural environment, food, farming, fisheries, animal health and welfare, rural communities and environmental protection.
Department of Health http://www.dh.gov.uk/ Tel: 020 7210 4850
Responsible for Government policy on Health and provides strategic leadership for public health, the NHS and social care in England.
Department for International Development http://www.dfid.gov.uk/ Tel: 0845 300 4100
Responsible for Government policy on international development and foreign aid.
Ministry of Justice http://www.justice.gov.uk/ Tel: 020 3334 3555
Responsible for Government policy on the Courts, the Probation Service and Prisons.
Department for Transport http://www.dft.gov.uk/ Tel: 0300 330 3000
Responsible for Government policy on aviation, roads, rail and shipping
HM Treasury http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ Tel: 020 7270 5000
Responsible for Government policy on economics, finance and taxation
Department for Work and Pensions http://www.dwp.gov.uk/
Responsible for Government policy on welfare and pension policy, including pensions, the child support agency and job centres.
Department for Communities and Local Government http://www.communities.gov.uk Tel: 0303 444 0000
Responsible for building regulations, community cohesion, decentralisation, fire services and resilience, housing, local government, planning, race equality, the Thames Gateway and urban regeneration.