Please see an overview of some of our government departments. Each department is varied in its culture and complexityof work but is able to offer you a unique experience and insight into the way it delivers public service.
Below are examples of government departments where Fast Streamers and previous alumni have worked.
Last updated - 27th October 2009
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office supports the Cabinet and aims to improve the management, efficiency and effectiveness of government and the Civil Service.
Read about Leah Noel's 2007 Summer Placement Scheme experience.
Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government's vision is of prosperous and cohesive communities, offering a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all.
Our role is to build the capacity of communities to shape and protect their own future. We want to see:
Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the Government Department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. Headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, The CPS aim is to achieve a national prosecution service. The CPS is structured into 42 geographical areas, each with its own Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) who takes responsibility for prosecutions within that region. Though CCPs are directly accountable for their areas, much of the responsibility for the efficient and effective running of areas is taken by Area Business Managers. The CPS uses the talents of many diverse people, including lawyers, caseworkers and administrative staff. As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, we are responsible for:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for Government policy on the arts, sport, the national Lottery, tourism, libraries, museums and galleries, broadcasting, creative industries including film and the music industry, press freedom and regulation, licensing, gambling and the historic environment.
We also have responsibility for the 2012 Olympics, the listing of historic buildings and scheduling of ancient monuments, the export licensing of cultural goods, the management of the government Art collection and for the Royal Parks Agency.
Read about Jonathon Yong's 2006 Summer Development Programme experience.
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Responsible for the development and promotion of education and skills policies in the UK. It is working in partnership with others, in government and beyond, towards an inclusive society, where everyone has an equal chance to achieve their full potential.
Read about Tina Parmer's and Roxanne Ohene's Summer Internship experiences.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Its aim is sustainable development, which means a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come, including:
Read about Pritpaul Sidhu's 2006 Summer Development Programme experience.
Department for Transport
Transport is one of the Government's top priorities. Our aim is transport that works for everyone, which means a transport system which balances the needs of the economy, the environment and society.
The Department creates the strategic framework for transport services, which are delivered through a wide range of public and private sector bodies.
The central Department consists of around 1,700 people working on transport policy, strategy and support services. Policy covers all types of transport - road, rail, air and sea - and services include finance, legal matters, communication, human resources and IT.
More visible to the public, our six executive agencies deliver an important range of services from conducting driving tests to co-ordinating search and rescue operations at sea.
Department for Work and Pensions
A new department that has been formed from the existing Department for Social Security, including the Benefits Agency and Child Support Agency, and from the employment, disability and international relations elements of the Department for Education and Employment, including the whole of the Employment Service.
The Department is responsible for delivering support and advice through a modern network of services to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people. Its key aims are to help its customers become financially independent and help reduce child poverty.
Read about Stephen Cork's Summer Internship experience. Department of Health
Manages the National Health Service, local authority social services for children, families, the elderly and disabled, and is responsible for aspects of public health.
Read a Fast Streamer's profile.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has the clear aim of generating wealth for everyone in the UK by helping people and businesses to become more productive and more successful. We set the policies, promote the best practice and deliver practical solutions to achieve long term prosperity for all.
Read about Roxanne Ohene's Summer Internship experiences.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The UK Government department responsible for foreign affairs. It works through its London headquarters and a network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates throughout the world.
HM Treasury
The department responsible for formulating and putting into effect the UK Government's financial and economic policy. The Treasury's overall aim is to raise the rate of sustainable growth, and achieve rising prosperity, through creating economic and employment opportunities for all.
Home Office
The Home Office has a clear and simple objective - to build a safe, just and tolerant society for everyone. It is tasked to deliver many of the Government's top priorities. It aims to make a difference to people's lives, creating a society in which:
Read about Chantelle Field's 2007 Summer Development Programme in the Home Office and Emma Duku-Woode's 2007 Summer Development Programme experience in the Boarder and Immigration Agency (part of the Home Office).
Ministry of Defence
Provides defence capabilities for the UK and helps to support foreign policy objectives for international peace and security.
Read a Fast Streamer's profile and about Ramesh Deonarine's Summer Internship experience
Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice is an exciting organisation at the heart of government. With over 26,000 people, we are one of the largest operational departments. Our role is to drive forward improvements to the justice system and to safeguard and modernise the constitution. Our work is fundamental to the security and well being of the UK. We protect people’s right:
Our responsibilities include running the courts, improving the justice system, human rights and information rights law, and law and policy on running elections and modernising the constitution.
Our priorities include reducing crime and anti-social behaviour; speeding up the asylum and immigration appeals system; promoting and delivering faster and more effective dispute resolution; and strengthening democracy, rights and responsibilities.
The Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland, at the centre of many aspects of life with responsibilities which include health, education, housing, the countryside and environmental issues, roads, transport, police and prisons, economic development and rural affairs. As an employer committed to equality of opportunity, it aims to employ a diverse workforce which reflects the people of Scotland and to offer you a challenging and satisfying career.
Read about Ruth Malarky's Summer Internship experience.
The Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Assembly Government is the devolved government for Wales. It is responsible for many issues including health, education, economic development, culture, the environment and transport. The Assembly Government has considerable power to develop and implement policy within a range of areas. Some of the decisions that the Assembly Government can make are:
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