Theme B: Organisation Of A Government Flashcards
What is the organisation of a government?
The work of government requires organisation into administrative departments, ministries, and agencies, staffed by civil servants.
What are the key differences between government ministers and civil servants?
Government ministers are appointed officials who represent a political party, while civil servants are politically neutral and permanent.
How can government ministers be changed?
Government ministers can be changed through election or cabinet reshuffle.
To whom are civil servants responsible?
Civil servants are responsible to Parliament and to ministers.
What is the role of a minister in a ministerial department?
A minister heads a ministerial department, decides policies to implement, and prepares and advises on policy.
Who appoints cabinet ministers?
The new Prime Minister appoints cabinet ministers from the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
What are some key government departments?
Key departments include the Department for Education, the Home Office, Her Majesty’s Treasury, and the Ministry of Defence.
How many senior civil servants are there?
There are around 4,000 senior civil servants who work with government departments in a non-political role.
What are the responsibilities of senior civil servants?
Senior civil servants prepare and present new policies and advise ministers on policies they wish to present in government.
What are two duties of a senior civil servant in Westminster?
- Prepare legislation. 2. Brief their government minister.
What values do civil servants strive to uphold?
Civil servants strive to uphold values such as integrity, honesty, objectivity, and impartiality.
How many other civil servants work across the UK?
Over 400,000 other civil servants work across the UK.
What are some roles of civil servants?
Civil servants administer government funds, institutions, and departments, such as paying benefits and pensions and running local departments.
What is the role of the monarch in forming a government?
The monarch invites the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons to become Prime Minister and form a government. This is a constitutional convention.
What is a single-party majority?
If one party secures more than half of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, it can form a government outright, and its leader becomes Prime Minister.
What is a hung parliament?
A hung parliament occurs when no party achieves a majority in the House of Commons.
What is a coalition government?
A coalition government is formed when two or more parties agree to work together, sharing ministerial positions.
What is a minority government?
A minority government is when the party with the most seats attempts to govern alone but must seek support from other parties on key votes.
What are confidence and supply agreements?
These are arrangements where smaller parties agree to support the government on crucial votes without formally joining the government.
What are ministerial departments?
Ministerial departments are led by government ministers and are responsible for specific areas like health, education, or defense.
What are non-ministerial departments?
Non-ministerial departments operate independently of ministers and are typically led by senior civil servants, focusing on politically neutral areas.
What are executive agencies?
Executive agencies are specialized organizations that deliver government services, such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
What are non-departmental public bodies (Quangos)?
Quangos operate independently but are funded by the government, such as the Arts Council England.
What is the role of civil servants?
Civil servants are permanent, politically neutral employees who support the government in implementing policies and delivering public services.
