A government department is a sector of the UK government that deals with a particular area of interest. Government departments are either ministerial or non-ministerial departments.

Ministerial departments are led politically by a Government Minister, usually called a ‘secretary of state’ and supported by a team of junior ministers and civil servants, themselves led by a Senior Civil servant known as a permanent secretary, in charge of administrative management. Ministerial departments cover matters requiring direct political oversight, such as the Department for Transport or the Foreign Office.

Non-Ministerial government departments generally cover matters where direct political oversight is inappropriate or unnecessary. These are headed by senior civil servants. Some, like OfSTED, fulfil an inspection function. Some, like OfGEM, fulfil a regulatory function. Their status is intended to protect them from political interference