Structure of the Executive

Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 10.1.1

The executive, also called the government, is formed of the prime minister, members of the cabinet and junior ministers.

The prime minister is head of the executive and holds final decision-making power.
The prime minister is expected to lead the executive by determining government policy and making decisions on major national issues.

The cabinet is formed from the prime minister and senior ministers of the government, appointed by the prime minister.
The senior ministers in the cabinet lead the government departments and consult the prime minister on formulating policy.
The cabinet meets weekly to discuss key government issues.
As of 2026, there are approximately 25 cabinet ministers in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government, including Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary.

Junior ministers are appointed by the prime minister and have responsibilities within specific government departments.
Junior ministers have specific roles under the cabinet ministers, who are heads of the government departments and report to them.
There is no fixed number of junior ministers, but the total is usually around 80–100.

A government department has responsibility for an area of policy which the executive pursues.
Government departments are run by a secretary of state and include ministers and civil servants.
Civil servants are permanent staff members within the government who support the current government in carrying out its policies.

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