Links
WESTMINSTER ON-LINE
A great deal of information about Parliament and Government departments is available on-line, including live TV and video coverage.
Hansard, the official report of parliamentary proceedings, the day to day business of both Houses, lists of MPs and Peers, and much more can be found at www.parliament.uk, which contains links to many other useful sites, keeping you up to date with what’s happening in Westminster and around the world. The site can also be used to look at Acts of Parliament passed since 1988. The site also contains a link to a parliamentary website especially for schools.
To find out more about the workings of No 10 Downing Street, go to www.number-10.gov.uk. At this address you will be able to contact the Prime Minister, read his CV and find out what is actually done at Number 10.
The Government publishes an enormous amount of information on line. It has set ambitious targets for communicating electronically. Below you can find relevant links to all the key Government Department web sites.
You can access details of the government's record at the In Your Area website: www.annualreport.gov.uk/inyourarea
Government Departments
To find out about or contact a Government Department use one of the links below:
Ministry of Justice
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice: Jack Straw
This Ministry has replaced the Department for Constitutional Affairs. It is responsible for policy on the overall criminal, civil, family and administrative justice system, including sentencing policy, as well as the courts, tribunals, legal aid and constitutional reform.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport: James Purnell
DCMS promotes the economic contribution and educational benefits of the arts, media, sport and our national heritage. It also promotes UK broadcasting and safeguards standards for viewers and listeners.
Home Office
Home Secretary: Jacqui Smith
The Home Offce has the job of protecting the public and securing our future. It leads a national effort to protect the public from terror, crime and anti-social behaviour. It secures UK borders and welcome legal migrants and visitors..
Department of Health
Secretary of State for Health: Alan Johnson
The Department aims to improve people's health and wellbeing through its strategic responsibility and accountability for the health and social care system in England.
The department does not directly run the National Health Service, manage individual hospitals or directly employ doctors, nurses or dentists. Rather it sets the national standards for patient care and regulates health provision.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Foreign Secretary: David Miliband
The FCO promotes UK interests abroad and works with international bodies to support a strong world community. The FCO is responsible for the conduct of business with other governments and international organisations.
This includes developing Britain's role as a member of the EU, the Commonwealth and the United Nations. The FCO also promotes human rights, improved global security and assists those countries which are developing new democratic institutions
Department for Transport
Secretary of State for Transport: Ruth Kelly
The DfT's objective is to oversee the delivery of a reliable, safe and secure transport system that responds efficiently to the needs of individuals and business while safeguarding our environment.
Department for Chidren, Schools and Families
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families: Ed Balls
The Department for Children, Schools and Families is responsible for children's services, families, schools, 14-19 education, and the Respect Taskforce. The department brings together key aspects of policy affecting children and young people for the first time.
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills: John Denham
Minister of State for Science and Innovation: Ian Pearson
The new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills will deliver the Government's long-term vision to make Britain one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation. It will ensure that the UK has the skilled workforce it needs to compete in the global economy
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: John Hutton
The Department is responsible for creating the conditions for business success, developing deeper and more effective engagement with business, and with the ability to promote the competitiveness agenda across critical areas of Government policy.
DBERR brings together functions from the former Department of Trade and Industry, including responsibilities for enterprise, business relations, regional development, fair markets and energy policy, with the Better Regulation Executive (BRE), previously part of the Cabinet Office.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: H ilary Benn
Defra develops policies to improve and protect the environment, and seeks to make the countryside a good place to live, work and visit. Defra works with the Environment Agency to reduce air and water pollution, and to prevent flooding.
Internationally, it seeks to reduce global warming and promote sustainable development, which links the need for a better environment with the economic and social challenges of modern society
HM Treasury
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Alistair Darling
HM Treasury is responsible for formulating and putting into effect the UK Government's financial and economy policy.
It aims to raise sustainable economic growth, improve the prosperity of the nation, creating economic and employment opportunities for all. The Treasury works to achieve economic stability, low inflation, sound public finances, efficient public services and a more productive economy.
Northern Ireland Office
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Shaun Woodward
The Northern Ireland Office supports the Northern Ireland Secretary in securing a lasting peace, based on the Good Friday Agreement, which fully respects and safeguards the rights and identities of all traditions in Northern Ireland.
The Privy Council
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council: Baroness Upholland
Among many functions, t he Privy Council Office provides Secretariat services for the Privy Council (that part of HM Government which advises on the exercise of prerogative powers and certain functions assigned to The Queen and the Council by Act of Parliament
Wales Office
Secretary of State for Wales and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Peter Hain
The Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for ensuring the smooth working of the devolution settlement in Wales. He represents Welsh interests within the UK Government and represents the UK Government in Wales.
Scotland Office
Secretary of State for Scotland and Secretary of State for Defence: Des Browne
The Secretary of State and the Scotland Office represent Scottish interests in matters that are reserved to the UK Parliament and promote the devolution settlement
Department for Work and Pensions
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Secretary of State for Wales: Peter Hain
The DWP is responsible for the Government's welfare reform agenda. It delivers support and advice through a network of local offices as well as providing phone and internet-based services. Its services are aimed at people of working age, pensioners, families and children, disabled people and employers.
Department for International Development
Secretary of State for International Development: Douglas Alexander
The Department is responsible for promoting development and reducing poverty overseas. Its central goal is to work with other countries to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015.
Ministry of Defence
Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary of State for Scotland: Des Browne
The MoD provides the defence capabilities to ensure the security and defence of the United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories. It supports the government's foreign policy objectives, particularly those relating to peace and security.
Department for Communities and Local Government
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government: Hazel Blears
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was created in May 2006.
DCLG is the successor department to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. It is an expanded department with a powerful remit to promote community cohesion and equality, as well as responsibility for housing, urban regeneration, planning and local government.
Cabinet Office
Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Ed Miliband
The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister in ensuring that the government delivers its priorities, particularly in relation to health, education, transport, crime and asylum policies.
It provides secretarial support to the Cabinet and services Cabinet committees.
Office of the Leader of the House of Commons
Leader of the House of Commons (and Lord Privy Seal): Harriet Harman
The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons has two Ministers – The Leader of the House of Commons and the Deputy Leader. Both Ministers and their staff are located within the Privy Council Office.
The Leader of the House of Commons is responsible for the effective management of the business of the House, in particular the smooth progress of the Government's legislative programme.
Devolved Bodies
National Assembly Of Wales www.wales.gov.uk
Scottish Executive www.scotland.gov.uk
Scottish Parliament www.scottish.parliament.uk
Greater London Authority www.london.gov.uk