What do mps do

Department for Culture, Media and Sport Tel: It is responsible for Government policy on culture, the arts, media, gambling, the national lottery, UK sport and Olympic and Paralympic legacy. It is responsible for Government policy on foreign affairs, diplomacy, Consular services, travel advice and sanctions implemented by the UK. Home Office Tel: The Home Office leads on immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime policy and counter-terrorism and works to ensure visible, responsive and accountable policing in the UK.

Ministry of Defence Tel: The Ministry of Defence protects the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad. It works with our allies and partners whenever possible.

Its aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget.

Department for Education Tel: It works to achieve a highly educated society in which opportunity is equal for children and young people, no matter what their background or family circumstances. Department of Energy and Climate Change Tel: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for Government policy on the natural environment, food, farming, fisheries, animal health and welfare, rural communities and environmental protection.

Department of Health Tel: The Department of Health helps people to live better for longer. We lead, shape and fund health and care in England, making sure people have the support, care and treatment they need, with the compassion, respect and dignity they deserve. When Parliament is sitting MPs are expected to be in Westminster from Monday to Thursday and so time in the constituency is limited.

Outside of sitting weeks there is more time for constituency meetings and visits. A key constituency time for John is the September recess which is the only recess that does not coincide with school holidays and so John is able to meet with many more people at this time.

During the course of a week in Westminster there are many competing demands on an MP's time. Time is divided between scrutinising legislation, attending debates, ministerial question sessions, committees, briefings and other meetings, and also responding to correspondence.

These competing demands mean that it is not always possible to attend a particular debate or drop-in session that a constituent may ask John to attend, although he does try to fit in as much as he can each week.

These questions may arise from the MPs concerns or may be on behalf of individual or groups of constituents. 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. Responsible for Government policy on the natural environment, food, farming, fisheries, animal health and welfare, rural communities and environmental protection. Responsible for Government policy on Health and provides strategic leadership for public health, the NHS and social care in England.

Responsible for Government policy on welfare and pension policy, including pensions, the child support agency and job centres. Responsible for building regulations, community cohesion, decentralisation, fire services and resilience, housing, local government, planning, race equality, the Thames Gateway and urban regeneration. What do MPs do? Oral or written questions Once a month each minister from each government department answer questions from MPs at the Dispatch Box.

At the same time, many backbench MPs will feel that they have a responsibility to their political party as the party helped the MP secure election. MPs represent their constituents in areas where the UK Parliament takes decisions eg immigration or defence. MPs either debate or ask questions in the House of Commons or they work in smaller groups known as committees. Other important roles of MPs in Parliament are to help make laws and to scrutinise check-up on the work of the government or investigate issues.

As with other Public Bills their purpose is to change the law as it applies to the general population.