The PM And The Executive- The Role and Structure Of The Executive

Question 1

The role of the executive

Answer 1

The UK executive has the following roles:

+ proposing, securing the passage of and implementing legislation

+ proposing a budget and managing the state’s finances

+ developing and making policy decisions

+ conducting foreign policy, including relations with other states and international bodies

+ responding to major problems or crises, such as armed conflict, security threats, economic difficulties or social disorder

+ organising and managing the services provided by the state

Question 2

Executive

Answer 2

Also known as ‘the government, this is the collective name for the prime minister, cabinet, junior ministers, government departments and their staff.

Question 3

You should use ‘government’ when referring to:

Answer 3

‘government’ when referring to elected ministers

Question 4

You should use ‘executive’ when discussing :

Answer 4

the wider government, including political advisors and senior civil servants.

Question 5

Structure of the executive

Answer 5

+ The prime minister and their close advisors.
+ The cabinet
+ Junior ministers
+ Government departments
+ The senior civil servants

Question 6

The Cabinet

Answer 6

The cabinet: 20-25 senior ministers appointed by the prime minister.

= A body of 20-25 senior ministers and other important senior party figures, such as the chief whip, whose meetings are chaired by the prime minister.

Question 7

Junior ministers

Answer 7

Junior ministers: they tend to run a specific part of a government department.

Question 8

Government departments

Answer 8

Government departments: of these, the Treasury holds a place of special importance as it controls government finances. Many heads of these departments are members of the cabinet.

= A part of the executive with a specific responsibility over a policy area.

Question 9

Senior civil servants

Answer 9

The senior civil servants who serve government ministers: of these, the cabinet secretary is the most senior. They serve both the prime minister personally and the cabinet collectively.

= Officials who give advice to ministers and implement ministers’ decisions.

Question 10

Cabinet secretary

Answer 10

The most senior civil servant in the UK. The cabinet secretary serves the prime minister and then the cabinet. They organise the work of cabinet and of government at the centre of power.