Guide to Government

This section helps you find out more about the role of key Government departments.

You will sometimes hear them described as 'Whitehall departments', named after the street in London where many of the head office buildings are located.

Each link provides a description of the work carried out by each department, as well as a list of the ministers and their duties - plus details of the Secretary of State they report to.

• Full list of Cabinet and Government ministers

Government Departments

• Ministry of Justice
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Home Office
• Department of Health
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Department for Transport
• Department for Education and Skills
• Department for Trade and Industry
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• HM Treasury
• Northern Ireland Office
• Privy Council
• Wales Office
• Scotland Office
• Department for Work and Pensions
• Department for International Development
• Ministry of Defence
• Department for Communities and Local Government
• Cabinet Office
• Office of the Leader of the House of Commons