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Government structure

The Prime Minister is responsible for the overall organisation of the executive and the allocation of functions between ministers in charge of ministerial departments. In general, the ministerial head of a department  - usually a secretary of state - has responsibility for a set of policy issues and associated legislation, and these responsibilities are delivered through their department and its delivery partners.

In addition to ministerial departments there are non-ministerial departments and executive agencies. Agencies carry out some of the executive functions of government and are part of a government department, but have their own management and budget.

The responsibilities of ministers and the structure of government are kept under review to ensure fitness for purpose. As the challenges the country faces and the Government's priorities change, the Prime Minister may wish to reorganise the roles of Cabinet ministers and the Government. This could involve a combination of reallocating responsibilities between ministers, creating a new department or renaming departments. This is referred to as a machinery of government change.

The coalition agreement for stability and reform

Sets out the practical and operational arrangements for how the Parties will work together in coalition: how policy will be commissioned and agreed; how appointments will be made and the principles of collective responsibility. 

Machinery of Government

This Cabinet Office paper sets out further information on the machinery of government changes that have been announced since the General election in May 2010.  

Further information