Members of Parliament are elected to the House of Commons to represent the interests and concerns of all the people who live in their constituency, whether they voted for them at the General Election or not. They are only able to deal with issues raised by people who live in their constituency, called constituents.
They 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 and voting on legislation. 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.
MPs do not have any jurisdiction over local Council decisions. However, they can write to a local Council and ask them to look into a problem or to reconsider an issue. In the first instance, constituents should contact their local Council or Councillor.
Members of Parliament are able to help with all matters for which Parliament or central government is responsible -
HM Treasury
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury
HM Treasury is the government’s economic and finance ministry, maintaining control over public spending, setting the direction of the UK’s economic policy and working to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office
The FCDO pursues the UK’s national interests and those of British citizens. They safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty, and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
Home Office
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office
The Home Office is the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counterterrorism and police.
Ministry of Defence
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
The Ministry of Defence is responsible for government policy on all defence issues and works to ensure our security, support our national interests and safeguard our prosperity.
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-energy-security-and-net-zero
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is responsible for encouraging greater energy efficiency, securing our energy supply, ensuring the proper function of our energy markets and seizing the opportunities of net zero.
Department for Education
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
The Department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is responsible for government policy on the natural environment, food, farming, fisheries, animal health and welfare, rural communities and environmental protection.
Department of Health & Social Care
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
The Department for Health and Social Care is responsible for government policy on health and provides strategic leadership for public health, the NHS and social care in England.
Department for Business & Trade
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-and-trade
The Department for Business & Trade supports businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.
Ministry of Justice
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for government policy on courts, prisons, probation services and attendance centres. They work to protect and advance the principles of justice and deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.
Department for Transport
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport
The Department for Transport is responsible for government policy on aviation, roads, rail and shipping. They support the transport network and invest in infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.
Department for Work and Pensions
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers.
Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-levelling-up-housing-and-communities
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) is responsible for investing in local areas to drive growth and create jobs, overseeing the delivery the housing, supporting our community and faith groups, and overseeing local government, planning and building safety.
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology
The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is responsible for positioning the UK at the forefront of global scientific advancement, driving innovation, delivering talent programmes, physical and digital infrastructure and regulation to support our economy and R&D funding.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-culture-media-and-sport
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport focuses on supporting culture, arts, media, sport, tourism and civil society — recognising the UK’s world-leading position in these areas and the importance of these sectors in contributing to our economy.
Cabinet Office
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office
The Cabinet Office is the corporate headquarters for government, they help to ensure the effective development, coordination and implementation of policy and take the lead in certain critical policy areas.
Northern Ireland Office
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office
The Northern Ireland Office ensures the smooth working of the devolution settlement and that the interests of Northern Ireland are fully and effectively represented at Westminster and the heart of government.
Office of the Secretary of State for Wales
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-secretary-of-state-for-wales
The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales ensures Welsh interests are represented at the heart of the UK government and the UK government’s responsibilities are represented in Wales.
Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-secretary-of-state-for-scotland
The Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK government, and the UK government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.