government department

   Ministerial departments are led politically by a government minister known as a Secretary of State who in most cases has a seat in the Cabinet. He or she is generally supported by a team of junior ministers. The administrative management of the department is led by a senior civil servant known as a Permanent Secretary. Examples of the 20 or so ministerial departments are the Home Office and HMTreasury. Subordinate to these ministerial departments are executive agencies. Non-ministerial departments generally cover matters for which direct political oversight is judged unnecessary or inappropriate. They are headed by senior civil servants. Some fulfil a regulatory or inspection function, and their status is therefore intended to protect them from political interference. Examples include the British Council, the Crown Estate, the Government Actuary’s Department, HM Revenue and Customs, and HM Land Registry.