10.1a The Structure of the Executive Flashcards
Prime minister
The prime minister is head of the executive and holds final decision-making power.
The prime minister is expected to lead the executive by determining government policy and making decisions on major national issues.
Cabinet
The cabinet is formed from the prime minister and senior ministers of the government, appointed by the prime minister.
The senior ministers in the cabinet lead the government departments and consult the prime minister on formulating policy.
The cabinet meets weekly to discuss key government issues.
There are 22 cabinet ministers in Prime Minister Theresa May’s government as of January 2019, including Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, and Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
Junior ministers
Junior ministers are appointed by the prime minister and have responsibilities within specific government departments.
Junior ministers have specific roles under the cabinet ministers, who are heads of the government departments and report to them.
There are currently 97 junior ministers.
Government department
A government department has responsibility for an area of policy which the executive pursues.
Government departments are run by a secretary of state and include ministers and civil servants.
Civil servants are permanent staff members within the government who support the current government in carrying out its policies.
