What is an All-Party Group?

All-Party Groups are established in Parliament by MPs and peers as a focus for their interest in a particular issue. All-Party Groups are not controlled by the party whips, and they normally comprise a wide range of parliamentarians from both Houses and various parties.

Each Group must have a minimum number of parliamentarians from the government party and the official opposition. Each Group must elect its officers on an annual basis. These and other requirements are laid down by the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, which recognises and regulates All-Party Groups.

Generally All-Party Groups are formed to examine issues that are non-contentious in party political terms.

Many All-Party Groups receive administrative and executive support from outside organisations with an interest in the issues that the Groups were formed to examine.

Each Group must lodge with the Commissioner for Standards a short 'statement of purpose' which sets out its remit.