UK Government Executive Branch

UK Government - Sources of Power

• The UK government's executive branch has the purpose of creating and enacting public policies.
• This branch is responsible for executing and administering laws passed by the legislature.
• The executive branch 'runs the country' and proactively creates and modifies public policy.
• It also responds to unforeseen events.
• Policy changes are initiated by the executive, then passed to the parliament for legislation, and finally implemented by the executive.

Learning Objectives

• Understanding the function of the executive branch.
• Identifying the components of the UK government.
• Explaining the roles and nature of the UK government's components.

The Executive Branch

• The function of the executive branch is to develop and implement public policies.
• It carries out and administers laws created by the legislature.
• Its role includes managing the country and proactively developing alternative policy changes.
• It reacts to abrupt and unexpected events.

An Elective Dictatorship?

• The relationship between the executive and legislative branches impacts political systems.
• Composition of the House of Commons directly affects the political status of the executive.
• A governing majority is essential to hold the position of power.
• The executive branch proposes drafts of bills in the House of Commons.
• The executive branch enjoys a significant amount of influence over parliament and its acts.

Central Government

• The Monarch, Prime Minister, and Ministers are key components, along with government departments, the Cabinet, Civil Service, and special advisors.
• Secretaries of State, Junior Ministers, Whips, and the Lord Chancellor are also part of these groups.

Prime Minister

• The position of Prime Minister is shaped by constitutional practice rather than formal laws.
• Often held in conjunction with another significant role, like First Lord of the Treasury.
• The Prime Minister determines appointments and approves the recruitment of civil servants, commissioners, and other senior officials.
• The Prime Minister also directly controls the government's executive machinery, and sets the government's priorities.
• Collective responsibility of the UK Cabinet strengthens the power of the Prime Minister.

Ministers and Departments

• Ministerial offices have a longer history than the Prime Minister's office.
• Government departments are staffed by civil servants and funded by Treasury grants.
• The creation of new departments or renames are often done via constitutional convention.
• The "Crown Act 1975" plays a part in regulating ministerial functions.
• The Ministerial Code guides the behaviour of ministers, but it is not legally binding and has a significant role concerning financial matters.
• Ministers must prevent personal conflicts of interests from impacting public duty.
• Government often provides ministerial meeting updates on websites.

Cabinet

• The Cabinet usually consists of 21-23 members, including the Prime Minister.
• The UK Cabinet's composition isn't regulated by statute, but the number of salaried Cabinet positions is restricted.
• Cabinet committees now often exist in place of or with the Cabinet, like National Security Council, EU Exit Strategy, and Covid-19 Strategy.
• The Cabinet Secretary provides support to Cabinet committees.

Civil Service

• Civil servants are permanent and unbiased public officials responsible for handling and processing government tasks and projects.
• The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act of 2010 established a legal basis for the civil service.
• Approximately 543,000 individuals currently work within the civil service.
• Civil service structure has undergone major changes focused on costs and efficiency.
• Senior Civil Servants manage government departments with a permanent role within them.
• The Carltona principle is utilized to delegate ministerial duties to civil servants within departments.

Special Advisers (SPADs)

• Special Advisers (SPADs) are political appointees who help develop and present government policies.
• Unlike civil servants, SPADs engage in party political activities.
• Appointments of SPADs often require the Prime Minister's approval and are contingent on the Minister's position.