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.

02 AUG 2023 Podcast

Becoming a minister podcast series

In this six-part series, former ministers and civil servants reveal what it is really like to hold ministerial office and how to do the job well.

01 NOV 2023 Hybrid event

1 November 2023

Ministers Reflect: What is it really like leading a government department?

This one-day conference discussed what we can learn from the IfG's Ministers Reflect interviews and how ministers can approach the job.

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.

What can we learn from the IfG's Ministers Database?

Our webinar explored the IfG's new public database of government ministers since 1979.

Watch or listen back

21 JUN 2023 Interview

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.

04 JUL 2023 Interview

Hilary Armstrong

Baroness Armstrong discusses handling contentious legislation, the welfare of MPs and influencing reshuffles.

03 JUL 2023 Interview

Patrick McLoughlin

Lord McLoughlin reflects on his long experience of government, how the whips manage parliament and dealing with crises as transport secretary.

17 JUL 2023 Interview

Anne Milton

Anne Milton discusses pastoral support for MPs, whipping during the coalition years and working with opposition whips.

Getting things done in government

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

Read the report

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.

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.

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.

12 JUN 2019 Report