Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

Downing Street

Ministers

We examine the role that ministers play in the UK government and how they can be most effective.

Our research, analysis, events and commentary look at the job of being a minister, what tools and strategies they use in their roles and how they work with the civil service. We analyse the ethical standards expected of ministers and how they are held to account.  

We regularly speak to former ministers about their time in office, and publish their thoughts in our archive of Ministers Reflect interviews. Through the IfG Academy, we offer practical advice and support – based on IfG research – for current and prospective ministers, special advisers and officials working in private offices, about how they can get things done during their time in office. 

What is it like being a minister?

See all
21 MAY 2019 Explainer

Government ministers

This explainer sets out what are the different types of ministers, how they are appointed and what they do.

28 JUN 2022 Insight paper

Managing as a minister

This guest paper by the University of Southampton reveals patterns in ministerial leadership styles.

24 MAY 2011 Report

The Challenge of Being a Minister

Our report examines what makes a minister effective in being able to define and take forward his or her policy objectives.

Strengthening private office

Strengthening civil service support for ministers is essential to reset the strained relationship between Whitehall and government – and this should begin with reform of ministers' private offices.

Download
A front cover for a report on the private office. The main image is of a Whitehall street sign.

Latest Ministers Reflect interviews

21 JUN 2023 Interview

Sir Brandon Lewis

Sir Brandon Lewis discusses the benefit of local government experience, the challenges of the Home Office and his time as Northern Ireland secretary.

15 AUG 2023 Interview

Chloe Smith

Chloe Smith talks about serving as constitution minister under three different PMs, her time in the Truss government, and ministerial maternity cover.

05 JUN 2023 Interview

Sir Robert Buckland

Robert Buckland discusses Brexit’s impact on the law officer role, the end of the Truss government, and managing the courts system in Covid.

07 JUN 2023 Interview

Lord Bethell

Lord Bethell discusses being in DHSC during Covid, the importance of experts in government and 'hating' leaving office

25 APR 2023 Interview

Matt Warman

Matt Warman discusses being an expert minister, how to navigate ‘caretaker’ government and receiving an apology for being sacked by Boris Johnson.

Getting things done in government

Twelve key lessons from former ministers on how to be effective in government.

Read the report
A rooftop view of Whitehall with the Houses of Parliament in the distance

Related projects

Ministers Reflect

Interviews with former ministers on the realities of the role and how to be effective in government.

IfG Academy

We help those working in government to improve it, and those outside government to understand and engage with it.

The cabinet

03 MAR 2020 Explainer

Cabinet

The cabinet is the senior decision-making body in government.

04 AUG 2017 Explainer

Cabinet committees

Cabinet committees are groups of ministers that can “take collective decisions that are binding across government.

18 AUG 2020 Explainer

Cabinet manual 

The cabinet manual is a document which sets out rules and procedures for the operation of government. 

04 NOV 2019 Explainer

Collective responsibility

Collective responsibility is the convention whereby individual members of the government are accountable for the actions and decisions of government.

What support do ministers get?

12 JUN 2019 Report

Becoming prime minister

Conservative MPs who want to become Prime Minister must face the practical challenges of being head of government. 

21 OCT 2020 Explainer

Ministers’ private offices

Every government minister has a private office. This is a small team of civil servants dedicated to supporting ministerial duties and decisions.

26 FEB 2020 Explainer

Special advisers

Special advisers (SpAds) are political appointees hired to support ministers.

Our ministers team