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lang="en"> <span id="Top"></span> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-title govuk-!-margin-top-8 govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <h1 class="gem-c-title__text govuk-heading-xl"> How government works </h1> </div> <p class="gem-c-lead-paragraph">In the UK, the Prime Minister leads the government with the support of the Cabinet and ministers. You can find out <a class="govuk-link" href="#who-runs-government">who runs government</a> and <a class="govuk-link" href="#how-government-is-run">how government is run</a>, as well as learning about the <a class="govuk-link" href="#history-uk-government">history of government</a>.</p> <hr class="govuk-section-break govuk-section-break--s govuk-section-break--visible govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <nav data-module="gem-track-click ga4-link-tracker" aria-label="Contents" class="gem-c-contents-list" role="navigation"> <h2 class="gem-c-contents-list__title"> Contents </h2> <ol class="gem-c-contents-list__list"> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 1" data-track-label="#who-runs-government" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Who runs government"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":1}" href="#who-runs-government">Who runs government</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 2" data-track-label="#how-government-is-run" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"How government is run"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":2}" href="#how-government-is-run">How government is run</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 3" data-track-label="#civil-service" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Civil service"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":3}" href="#civil-service">Civil service</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 4" data-track-label="#get-involved" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Get involved"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":4}" href="#get-involved">Get involved</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 5" data-track-label="#legislation" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Legislation"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":5}" href="#legislation">Legislation</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 6" data-track-label="#access-to-information" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Access to information"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":6}" href="#access-to-information">Access to information</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 7" data-track-label="#devolved-government" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Devolved government"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":7}" href="#devolved-government">Devolved government</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 8" data-track-label="#local-government" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Local government"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":8}" href="#local-government">Local government</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 9" data-track-label="#parliament" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Parliament"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":9}" href="#parliament">Parliament</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link govuk-link--no-underline" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 10" data-track-label="#history-uk-government" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"History of government"}" data-ga4-link="{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":10,"index_link":10}" href="#history-uk-government">History of government</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <section> <h2 id="who-runs-government" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Who runs government </h2> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9 prime-minister"> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> The Prime Minister </h3> <p class="govuk-body">The <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/prime-minister">Prime Minister</a> is the leader of His Majesty’s Government and is ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions.</p> <p class="govuk-body">The Prime Minister also:</p> <ul class="gem-c-list govuk-list govuk-list--bullet govuk-list--spaced"> <li>oversees the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies</li> <li>appoints members of the government</li> <li>is the principal government figure in the House of Commons</li> </ul> <p class="govuk-body">The Prime Minister is <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/people/rishi-sunak">The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP</a>.</p> <p class="govuk-body govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/prime-ministers-office-10-downing-street">Read more about the Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street</a> </p> <img alt="The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP" width="465" height="310" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758im_/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/635a60d6d3bf7f20d8aa6805/s465_Rishi_profile.jpg"> </section> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> The Cabinet </h3> <p class="govuk-body">The Cabinet is made up of the senior members of government. Every week during Parliament, members of the Cabinet (Secretaries of State from all departments and some other ministers) meet to discuss the most important issues for the government.</p> <p class="govuk-body govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers">See who is in the Cabinet</a></p> <img alt="" width="465" height="310" src="/web/20240430050758im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/how-gov-works/cabinet_01-342922b8edae7c682ae8a2751fc97d05d35dad19f8c9164203be433877fb0b04.jpg"> </section> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Ministers </h3> <div class="govuk-grid-row feature-ministers"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-half"> <div class="gem-c-big-number govuk-!-margin-bottom-3"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-big-number__link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/prime-minister"> <span class="gem-c-big-number__value"> 1 </span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> </span> <span class="gem-c-big-number__label"> Prime Minister </span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-half"> <div class="gem-c-big-number govuk-!-margin-bottom-3"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-big-number__link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers#cabinet-ministers"> <span class="gem-c-big-number__value"> 23 </span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> </span> <span class="gem-c-big-number__label"> Cabinet ministers </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row feature-ministers"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-half"> <div class="gem-c-big-number govuk-!-margin-bottom-3"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-big-number__link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers#ministers-by-department"> <span class="gem-c-big-number__value"> 102 </span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> </span> <span class="gem-c-big-number__label"> Other ministers </span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-half"> <div class="gem-c-big-number govuk-!-margin-bottom-3"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-big-number__link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers"> <span class="gem-c-big-number__value"> 126 </span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> </span> <span class="gem-c-big-number__label"> Total ministers </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <p class="govuk-body">Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from the members of the House of Commons and House of Lords. They are responsible for the actions, successes and failures of their departments.</p> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers">See full list of ministers</a></p> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h2 id="how-government-is-run" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> How government is run </h2> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Government departments and agencies </h3> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <p class="govuk-body">Departments and their agencies are responsible for putting government policy into practice.</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Government departments </h3> <p class="govuk-body">Some departments, like the <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence">Ministry of Defence</a>, cover the whole UK. Others don’t – the <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions">Department for Work and Pensions</a> doesn't cover Northern Ireland. This is because some aspects of government are devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.</p> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations#non_ministerial_departments">Non-ministerial departments</a> are headed by senior civil servants and not ministers. They usually have a regulatory or inspection function like the Charity Commission.</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Executive agencies </h3> <p class="govuk-body">These are part of government departments and usually provide government services rather than decide policy - which is done by the department that oversees the agency.</p> <p class="govuk-body">An example is the <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency">Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency</a> (overseen by the <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport">Department for Transport</a>).</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Other public bodies </h3> <p class="govuk-body">These have varying degrees of independence but are directly accountable to ministers. There are 4 types of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs).</p> <p class="govuk-body">Executive NDPBs do work for the government in specific areas - for example, the Environment Agency.</p> <p class="govuk-body">Advisory NDPBs provide independent, expert advice to ministers - for example, the Committee on Standards in Public Life.</p> <p class="govuk-body">Tribunal NDPBs are part of the justice system and have jurisdiction over a specific area of law - for example, the Competition Appeal Tribunal.</p> <p class="govuk-body">Independent monitoring boards are responsible for the running of prisons and treatment of prisoners - for example, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons.</p> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <div class="depts"> <div class="depts__item govuk-!-display-inline-block"> <div class="gem-c-big-number govuk-!-margin-bottom-3"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-big-number__link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations#departments"> <span class="gem-c-big-number__value"> 24 </span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> </span> <span class="gem-c-big-number__label"> Ministerial departments </span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="depts__item govuk-!-display-inline-block"> <div class="gem-c-big-number govuk-!-margin-bottom-3"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-big-number__link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations#non_ministerial_departments"> <span class="gem-c-big-number__value"> 20 </span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> </span> <span class="gem-c-big-number__label"> Non-ministerial departments </span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="depts__item govuk-!-display-inline-block"> <div class="gem-c-big-number govuk-!-margin-bottom-3"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-big-number__link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations#agencies_and_other_public_bodies"> <span class="gem-c-big-number__value"> 400<span class="gem-c-big-number__suffix">+</span> </span> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> </span> <span class="gem-c-big-number__label"> Agencies and other public bodies </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h2 id="civil-service" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Civil Service </h2> <p class="govuk-body">The Civil Service does the practical and administrative work of government. It is co-ordinated and managed by the Prime Minister, in their role as Minister for the Civil Service.</p> <p class="govuk-body">Around half of all civil servants provide services direct to the public, including:</p> <ul class="gem-c-list govuk-list govuk-list--bullet govuk-list--spaced"> <li>paying benefits and pensions</li> <li>running employment services</li> <li>staffing prisons</li> <li>issuing driving licences</li> </ul> <p class="govuk-body">The <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service">Civil Service</a> is on GOV.UK.</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Work for us </h3> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/https://civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/">Find and apply</a> for vacancies in departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Work with us </h3> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder/">Search Contracts Finder</a> for any government contract over £10,000 and get details of all previous tenders.</p> </section> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h2 id="get-involved" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Get involved </h2> <p class="govuk-body">Read about ways to <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/">get involved</a>.</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Engage with government </h3> <p class="govuk-body">Interact with government through <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved#engage-with-government">consultations and petitions</a> to inform and influence the decisions it makes.</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Take part </h3> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved#take-part">Offer your skills and energy</a> to a project in your neighbourhood, around the UK or overseas.</p> </section> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h2 id="legislation" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Legislation </h2> <p class="govuk-body">Laws go through several stages before they are passed by Parliament. The House of Commons and the House of Lords work together to make them.</p> <p class="govuk-body">They can include:</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Draft legislation </h3> <p class="govuk-body">White papers outline proposals for new laws. Green papers ask for public comments before the white paper is published.</p> <p class="govuk-body">Bills are proposals for new laws or changes to existing ones. Once agreed by Parliament, they have to be approved by the King before becoming law.</p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Acts of Parliament </h3> <p class="govuk-body">These are bills which have been approved by the Commons, the Lords, and the King. The relevant government department is responsible for putting the act into practice.</p> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/">Visit www.legislation.gov.uk</a></p> </section> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h2 id="access-to-information" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Access to information </h2> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Freedom of information </h3> <p class="govuk-body">The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to ask any public sector organisation for all the recorded information it has on any subject. Anyone can make a request for information – known as a Freedom of Information (or FOI) request. There are no restrictions on your age, nationality or where you live.</p> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request">How to make a freedom of information request</a></p> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases?content_store_document_type=foi_release">See FOI releases on GOV.UK</a></p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Statistics </h3> <p class="govuk-body">Government produces Official Statistics about most areas of public life. Statistics are used by people inside and outside government to make informed decisions and to measure the success of government policies and services. <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/how-national-and-official-statistics-are-assured">Find out about the legislation</a> that governs the publication of UK national and Official Statistics.</p> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">See statistics publications on GOV.UK</a></p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Transparency </h3> <p class="govuk-body">The government publishes information about how government works to allow you to make politicians, public services and public organisations more accountable. We are committed to publishing information about:</p> <ul class="gem-c-list govuk-list govuk-list--bullet govuk-list--spaced"> <li>how much public money has been spent on what</li> <li>the job titles of senior civil servants and how much they are paid</li> <li>how the government is doing against its objectives</li> </ul> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases?content_store_document_type=transparency">See transparency releases on GOV.UK</a></p> <h3 class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-m govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Data </h3> <p class="govuk-body">Putting data in people’s hands can help them have more of a say in the reform of public services. On <a class="govuk-link" rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/https://data.gov.uk/">data.gov.uk</a> you can easily find, review and use information about our country and communities - for example, to develop web applications.</p> </section> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h2 id="devolved-government" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Devolved government </h2> <p class="govuk-body">In <a class="govuk-link" rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.scot/">Scotland</a>, <a class="govuk-link" rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.wales/">Wales</a> and <a class="govuk-link" rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/">Northern Ireland</a>, devolved administrations are responsible for many domestic policy issues, and their Parliaments/Assemblies have law-making powers for those areas.</p> <p class="govuk-body">Areas the Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for, include:</p> <ul class="gem-c-list govuk-list govuk-list--bullet govuk-list--spaced"> <li>health</li> <li>education</li> <li>culture</li> <li>the environment</li> <li>transport</li> </ul> </section> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h2 id="local-government" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Local government </h2> <p class="govuk-body">Councils make and carry out decisions on local services. Many parts of England have 2 tiers of local government: county councils and district, borough or city councils.</p> <p class="govuk-body">In some parts of the country, there’s just one tier of local government providing all the functions, known as a ‘unitary authority’. This can be a city, borough or county council – or it may just be called ‘council’. As well as these, many areas also have parish or town councils.</p> <p class="govuk-body"><a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/types-of-council/">Understand how your council works</a></p> </section> <section class="govuk-!-margin-bottom-9"> <h2 id="parliament" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> Parliament </h2> <p class="govuk-body">Parliament is separate from government. Made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, its role is to:</p> <ul class="gem-c-list govuk-list govuk-list--bullet govuk-list--spaced"> <li>look at what the government is doing</li> <li>debate issues and pass new laws</li> <li>set taxes</li> </ul> <p class="govuk-body"> <a class="govuk-link" rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/https://www.parliament.uk/">Find out about how Parliament works</a> </p> <p class="govuk-body">Read The Official Report at <a class="govuk-link" rel="external" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/">Hansard</a></p> </section> <section> <h2 id="history-uk-government" class="gem-c-heading govuk-heading-l govuk-!-margin-bottom-4"> History of government </h2> <p class="govuk-body">Britain has one of the oldest governments in the world. Find out more about how it has worked and who has shaped it in the <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/history">history</a> section.</p> <p class="govuk-body">Read about past Prime Ministers, Chancellors and Foreign Secretaries in <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/history#notable-people">notable people</a>. Learn more about historic <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/history#government-buildings">government buildings</a> on Whitehall and around the UK.</p> <p class="govuk-body govuk-!-margin-bottom-8">You can also find links to <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/government/history#historical-research">historical research</a>, documents and records.</p> <img alt="" width="465" height="310" src="/web/20240430050758im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/how-gov-works/churchill_01-c0149fbb516d0a355ee3fa8bb32e9e2b1bf40c80bb9031ddb9b67be656f18dc0.jpg"> </section> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-feedback govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="feedback ga4-event-tracker"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt gem-c-feedback__js-show js-prompt" tabindex="-1"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-content"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions js-prompt-questions" hidden> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question-answer"> <h2 class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question">Is this page useful?</h2> <ul class="gem-c-feedback__option-list"> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item govuk-visually-hidden" hidden> <a class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-link" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffMaybeClick" role="button" hidden="hidden" aria-hidden="true" href="/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk"> Maybe </a> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-page-is-useful" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffYesClick" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Yes","section":"Is this page useful?","tool_name":"Is this page useful?"}"> Yes <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is useful</span> </button> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-page-is-not-useful" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="false" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffNoClick" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"No","section":"Is this page useful?","tool_name":"Is this page useful?"}"> No <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is not useful</span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-success js-prompt-success" role="alert" hidden> Thank you for your feedback </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions--something-is-wrong js-prompt-questions" hidden> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV-UK Open Form" data-ga4-event="{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Report a problem with this page","section":"Is this page useful?","tool_name":"Is this page useful?"}"> Report a problem with this page </button> </div> </div> </div> <form action="https://web.archive.org/web/20240430050758/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk/problem_reports" id="something-is-wrong" class="gem-c-feedback__form js-feedback-form" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV.UK Send Form" method="post" hidden> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary gem-c-feedback__js-show js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <input type="hidden" name="url" value="https://www.gov.uk/government/how-government-works"> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="feedback_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph">Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.</p> <div class="govuk-visually-hidden" aria-hidden="true"> <label for="giraffe">This field is for robots only. 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