Guide to the Centre of Government

This guide is a snapshot of 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury in Autumn 2000. It is intended to help civil servants and others with an interest in public service to understand the work of the centre of government as it is presently organised.

The role of the centre has been evolving continuously over many years in response to the needs of different times and Governments, and will continue to evolve.

Some activities - for instance the control of public expenditure and the provision of support to the Cabinet and collective government - are of long standing although the way in which they are performed may change. Others are a response to more recent developments such as the growing demand for better public services and the rapid development of new technology.

These changes require new ways of dealing with policy issues that cut across departmental boundaries and new ways of strengthening departmental delivery.

They also require a centre of government that actively supports departments, as well as championing new approaches.

Above all they require the rest of the Government machine to understand how the centre operates and what it is trying to achieve. Hence this guide.

I would stress that this is only a snapshot. The centre will continue to evolve and there will need to be further editions of this guide in the future, if you find it helpful. We would welcome feedback from you on how it can be improved.

Richard Wilson
Head of the Home Civil Service