Why are select committees important?

Scrutinise the actions of the public and government.
Health Select Committee inquiry (2011) into public health identified problems with the coalition government’s proposals for NHS reform. It helped persuade the government to make significant changes to the Health and Social Care Bill.
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee inquiry (2016) into working practices at retailer Sports Direct concluded that Mike Ashley must be held accountable for ‘extremely disturbing’ working practices at the company.
Foreign Affairs Committee inquiry (2016) into UK intervention in Libya concluded that the UK’s 2011 actions in Libya were ill-conceived and that other political options should have been attempted. It stated that David Cameron was ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent strategy.

Long-serving members can accumulate more knowledge of a particular policy area than a minister, who may stay in a government department for only 2/3 years.
Some experienced chairs of select committees have become considerable public figures, and this role is now recognised as an alternative career path to the ministerial ladder.
An example is Margaret Hodge, chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee from 2010 to 2015, who has said that she had more influence in this role than as a government minister earlier in her career.
In 2015, Frank Field was elected chair of the Work and Pensions Committee – an MP since 1979, Field’s career has especially focused on issues connected with poverty and welfare and, as one of the few Labour MPs to support Brexit, he has a reputation for always speaking his own mind.

Select committees can have a direct influence on government policy.
In 2014, the Home Office took the Passport Office back under ministerial control, following a critical report by the Home Affairs Select Committee – even though the reports that select committees’ issue are not binding, the non-partisan way in which they work, and the expert witnesses tint they can summon, ensure that they can have a significant impact on government decision making.
In 2016, when Theresa May established the Department for Exiting the European Union, a select committee was set up soon after to examine its work.
Under its chairman, Hilary Benn MP, the committee questioned ministers on the likely impact of the various scenarios for departure.