LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain on Wednesday cut short the time lawmakers have to debate his Brexit plans, announcing that he had asked the queen to suspend Parliament days after lawmakers return to work from a break, and just weeks before a looming Brexit deadline.

The move, which limits legislative time before Britain’s planned Oct. 31 withdrawal from the European Union, drew immediate criticism from the opposition — and some lawmakers within Mr. Johnson’s own Conservative Party — and caused the British pound to plunge.

So what exactly does the move, known as proroguing Parliament, actually mean for the government and the critical decision-making in the weeks leading up to the deadline? And how could it affect Britain’s exit from Europe?

Here’s what you need to know.

What happens next for lawmakers?

Most significantly, Mr. Johnson’s Wednesday move has changed the time frame for decision-making on Britain’s scheduled exit from the bloc. But members of Parliament will still return from their current summer break next week, as planned, on Tuesday.