First Minister's Questions facts for kids
First Minister's Questions are special times when politicians can ask questions to their region's leader. These sessions happen in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, and the Senedd (which is the Welsh Parliament).
It's a chance for members of each parliament to question the main leader of their part of the United Kingdom. These sessions are a bit like Prime Minister's Questions, which happens in the main UK Parliament in London. First Minister's Questions is usually the most popular event for politicians to attend in each region.
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Northern Ireland Assembly Questions
In Northern Ireland, this session is called Questions to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Most people just call it First Minister's Questions.
Here, both the First Minister and the deputy First Minister answer questions together. This is part of a special way of working called power-sharing. It means that different groups share power to help run the Northern Ireland Assembly and its government.
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) can ask questions for up to 30 minutes. They usually send in their questions beforehand.
Scottish Parliament Questions
In Scotland, First Minister's Questions is often called FMQs for short. It's a weekly session held when the Scottish Parliament is meeting. During this time, Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) can ask questions to the First Minister.
FMQs happen every Thursday at noon and usually last for 45 minutes. The current rules allow the leader of the biggest opposition party to ask the First Minister several questions. Then, the leaders of the second and third biggest opposition parties also get to ask questions. Other MSPs in the room can ask one question, if the person in charge (the Presiding Officer) allows it.
After the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats no longer gets guaranteed questions. This is because they won fewer seats and are no longer seen as a main parliamentary group.
Senedd Questions (Wales)
In Wales, First Minister's Questions is a weekly session held in the Senedd (the Welsh Parliament). During this time, Members of the Senedd (MSs) can question the First Minister. They have up to 45 minutes to ask about topics that the Welsh Government is responsible for.
When it first started, this session was called First Secretary's Questions. It was renamed in 2000 when the job title changed from First Secretary for Wales to First Minister.
See also
- Devolution in the United Kingdom
- Prime Minister's Questions
- Question time
