Chapter 8 - The Cabinet Flashcards
Define the Cabinet
The meeting of senior ministers and the heads of government departments. Formally key decision making body in British Government
Number of Cabinet Ministers 2016?
22 (with a further 8 in attendance)
How many female cabinet members are there in 2016?
7 (+3 attending but not ministers)
How often are cabinet meetings held?
Once a week
Define the Cabinet System
The cabinet and its associated bodies, including cabinet committees and the Cabinet Office
Explain the 4 points of the role of the Cabinet
- registering and ratifying decisions made in other parts of the cabinet system
- discussing and deciding on major issues
- Determining gov business in Parliament
- Settling disputes between government departments
What are cabinet committees?
Committees appointed by the PM to consider aspects of government business
Name the 4 kinds of cabinet committee
Ministerial standing committees
Ministerial subcommittees
Ad hoc committees (focus on one issue)
Official committees of civil servants (shadow ministerial committees)
What are the 5 most important ministerial standing committees?
Those dealing with Domestic Affairs Economic Affairs Public Expenditure National Security Gov legislative programme
3 egs of Committees
National Security Council
Home Affairs Committee
Economic Affairs Committee
Define an ‘inner cabinet’
A smaller, informal group of ministers, advisers and officials.. EG the Quad
When was the Cabinet Office created?
1916
What is the Cabinet Office?
A gov department responsible for supporting the cabinet system and the prime minister, and managing the civil service
