Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Attorney General’s Office
Abbreviation: AGO
The government legal office that supports the Attorney General and Solicitor General.
Cabinet Office
Abbreviation: CO
The government department that supports the Prime Minister, Cabinet and the effective running of government.
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Abbreviation: Chancellor
The senior minister responsible for the Treasury and the UK’s economic and fiscal policy.
Minister
A member of the government with responsibility for a policy area or department.
Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Abbreviation: Scotland Office
The UK Government department representing Scotland’s interests in the UK Government and reserved UK matters in Scotland.
Office of the Secretary of State for Wales
Abbreviation: Wales Office
The UK Government department representing Wales’s interests in the UK Government and reserved UK matters in Wales.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
A junior ministerial rank within a government department.
Prime Minister
Abbreviation: PM
The head of the UK Government.
Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Abbreviation: No. 10
The office supporting the Prime Minister and issuing official statements from 10 Downing Street.
Secretary of State
A senior government minister, usually responsible for a government department.
Shadow Minister
An opposition frontbench spokesperson who scrutinises a government minister or policy area.