PUBLIC LAW L4 - Responsible Government - THE CIVIL SERVICE Flashcards
What is the function of the civil service? (2)
To implement the policies of the government of the day set out in the Cabinet Manual 2011.
How many principles underpin the civil service? (1)
Three.
What are the main constitutional principles underpinning the civil service? (5)
Permanence - civil service does not change with each new government.
Political neutrality
Anonymity - not public-facing with the exception of a few senior civil servants.
What is the structure / hierarchy of government departments / ministries? (4)
Secretary of State - senior minister appointed by MP
Special Advisors - political appointees and permanent secretaries, max 2, most senior civil servant, politically neutral
Senior Responsible Owners - politically neutral
Civil servants - politically neutral
What are SROs responsible for? (1)
The delivery of major government projects.
What does the Civil Service Code contain? (2)
The personal and professional standards applicable to civil servants, the core values are integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
What is the Accounting Officer responsible for? (1)
Explaining to Parliament how their department has spent public funds.
Who are civil servants accountable to? (1)
Ministers, who in turn are accountable to Parliament.
What does the structure of government departments reflect? (1)
The division between political appointees and civil servants.
