Organisation of a government

• The government is structured into departments, ministries, and agencies, staffed by civil servants who ensure policies are implemented effectively.
• Differences between Government Ministers and Civil Servants

  • Government ministers are elected politicians, represent a political party, and can be changed through elections or cabinet reshuffles. They are responsible to Parliament, head ministerial departments, and decide which policies to implement.
  • Civil servants, on the other hand, are appointed officials who remain politically neutral and work permanently within government departments. They are responsible to ministers and assist by preparing and advising on policy.
• Ministerial Departments

  The Prime Minister appoints cabinet ministers from the House of Commons and House of Lords. These ministers are in charge of government departments, and the number of departments can change based on national needs.
• Key departments include:

  • Department for Education
  • The Home Office
  • Her Majesty’s Treasury
  • Ministry of Defence
• Senior Civil Servants

  There are approximately 4,000 senior civil servants who work permanently in government departments in a non-political capacity. They help prepare and present new policies and are specialists in their fields. Ministers, especially new ones, rely on senior civil servants for guidance on government processes and policy-making.
• Senior civil servants are responsible for:

  • Preparing legislation.
  • Answering parliamentary questions.
  • Briefing their government minister.
  • Managing policies as they move through the law-making process.
  • Meeting with representatives of different groups.
• Civil Servants

  There are over 400,000 civil servants working across the UK in various roles, such as handling pensions, benefits, running Jobcentre Plus, managing the Prison Service, and processing driving licences.
• Civil servants are accountable to ministers and must uphold core values:

  • Integrity – Prioritising public needs over personal interests.
  • Honesty – Being transparent and open due to public scrutiny.
  • Objectivity – Making decisions based on evidence.
  • Impartiality – Serving all governments equally, regardless of party.
• Civil Service Roles

  Civil servants help run government-funded institutions and services, ensuring policies are carried out efficiently.
• Explain two duties of a senior civil servant in Westminster.

  • To advise government ministers. This may be on the policy they wish to implement, and any problems there may be.
  • To impartially serve any government that may be elected. This means that senior civil servants have to be politically neutral.