What is the cabinet office?
The Cabinet Office is the UK government department that supports the Prime Minister and Cabinet and helps the government run as a whole. It coordinates policy across departments, oversees the civil service, manages national security and resilience, and runs areas such as elections policy and government procurement.
Unlike most departments, the Cabinet Office does not deliver one public service such as schools or hospitals. Its job is to make the centre of government work. It supports Cabinet meetings and committees, handles the rules on ministerial conduct and plans for emergencies through bodies such as COBR. It also supports the Prime Minister's office at Number 10 and handles government communications standards.
It is led by a senior minister, often called the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster or Minister for the Cabinet Office. The Prime Minister is formally Minister for the Civil Service. The Cabinet Secretary, the country's most senior civil servant, works closely with the department. Junior ministers in the department look after areas such as the constitution, civil service reform and government efficiency.
The Cabinet Office's role has grown over time. It has taken on responsibilities for the civil service workforce, digital government, the constitution and the Union. Critics sometimes describe it as a catch-all that takes on any task without a clear home. Supporters say a strong centre helps a government deliver its priorities. Its budget and staff numbers have grown as these roles expanded.
- Runs Cabinet meetings and committees
- Coordinates national security and crisis response
- Manages the civil service
- Oversees government buying and projects
- Sets elections and constitutional policy
Budget: About £1bn to £2bn a year. Staff: About 8,000
What it runs or funds
Government Property Agency, Crown Commercial Service, Civil Service Commission, Government Commercial Function, Civil Contingencies Secretariat
Did you know? COBR, the emergency committee, is named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A.
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Who runs the Cabinet Office?
A Cabinet minister, supported by the Cabinet Secretary as the most senior civil servant.
What is COBR?
The government's emergency committee, which meets in Cabinet Office briefing rooms during crises.
Is the Cabinet Office the same as the Cabinet?
No. The Cabinet is the group of senior ministers. The Cabinet Office is the department that supports it.
What is the Cabinet Office's main role?
Supporting the PM and Cabinet and keeping government joined up. The Cabinet Office supports the PM and Cabinet and runs the civil service.
Which minister leads the Cabinet Office?
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Cabinet Office is led by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.