Giving written evidence to a select committee

Giving evidence to a select committee

Select committees are groups of parliamentarians whose role is to examine a particular area of government or national policy.  

They can be formed from the House of Commons, the House of Lords, or as joint committees with members from both Houses. 

Committee members come from different political viewpoints. They aim to work together and reach agreement. 

Committees have the power to appoint specialist advisers; these are not permanent members of staff, but outside specialists paid on a daily rate.

They are often, but not always, academics, and are appointed either generally or to assist with inquiries. They support the clerk as the head of the committee’s staff.

Why do they need evidence?

Select committees choose topics to investigate and then make recommendations for improvements. To do this they need evidence to help them to understand what’s happening now and what changes might be needed.

They seek this evidence from a wide range of people who know about the specific topic.

Select committees seek evidence from people who meet one of the following criteria:

• Know about the topic because of the work they do
• Have studied the topic and have research relating to it
• Have personal experience

Contributing to a ‘call for evidence’

When a committee starts an inquiry, it will often publish a ‘call for evidence’ that explains the subjects that members most want to hear about. 

You can find a list of committee inquiries that are currently asking for written evidence on the Committees homepage.

The primary way that researchers will respond to a call for evidence is by submitting ‘written evidence’ – sending a committee a document with your views.

Contributors can also give oral evidence where they will answer questions from the committee in a formal session. Find out more about what this involves.

Further advice and guidance

The UK Parliament offers comprehensive guidance on writing evidence for a select committee which you can find on their website:

• Give evidence to a select committee
• Guidance on giving evidence to select committees
• Guide for witnesses giving written or oral evidence to a House of Commons select committee [PDF]

This guidance includes practical information on formatting and structuring your submission.

Top tips for written evidence to a select committee: 

• Keep your evidence short and to the point.
• Write in plain English and explain any technical terms.
• Use section headings and numbered paragraphs.
• Select committees can’t accept evidence that has already been published, or that is intended to be published elsewhere, but you can quote from or refer to published material.
• Include factual information you think the Committee will find useful, particularly if it comes from you or your organisation's own knowledge, work or research.
• Set out the actions you would like Government or others to take and explain why these actions would improve things.
• Include your thoughts about the most important questions that the Committee should ask the Government.
• Think about what you or your organisation can bring to the debate that others might not. What is your unique perspective or expertise?
• Send evidence as early as you can—this gives the Committee more time to take it into account.
• When submitting evidence make sure it meets the requirements listed on the guidance pages and ensure that it doesn’t include material that may cause them to reject it.

You can find examples of written evidence submissions on the Parliament written evidence database.