The UK Government contains a number of ministries known mainly, though not exclusively as departments. These are politically led by a Government Minister who is often a Secretary of State and member of the Cabinet (the executive of the parliament chosen by the prime minister). He or she may also be supported by a number of junior Ministers.

Implementation of the Minister's decisions is carried out by a permanent politically neutral organization known as the civil service. Its constitutional role is to support the Government of the day regardless of which political party is in power. Unlike some other democracies, senior civil servants remain in post upon a change of Government. Administrative management of the Department is led by a head civil servant known, in most Departments, as a Permanent Secretary.