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.

If you’re interested in the IfG Academy’s support for private office teams, sign up to our bespoke newsletter.

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

04 DEC 2024 Interview

Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock discusses running the Department of Health during the pandemic, difficulties at the centre of government and lockdown lessons.

04 DEC 2024 Interview

Clare Short

Clare Short discusses setting up the Department for International Development, setting clear objectives and getting the most out of her civil servants

18 NOV 2024 Interview

John Denham

John Denham discusses being an ‘engine room’ minister, resigning over Iraq, and being secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills.

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.

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

12 JUN 2019 Report