Parliamentary private secretaries

A parliamentary private secretary (PPS) is an MP appointed by a government minister to act as their unpaid assistant. A PPS acts as an unpaid parliamentary assistant, providing a link between the senior frontbencher and backbench MPs. The role is widely regarded as the first step on the ministerial ladder. A PPS acts as the […]

Permanent secretary

A permanent secretary is the most senior civil servant in a UK government department, responsible for its day-to-day operation and acting as the principal policy adviser to the secretary of state. Unlike government ministers, who are political appointees and change with the government, permanent secretaries are career officials who remain in post to ensure continuity […]

Prime minister’s official spokesperson

The prime minister’s official spokesperson is a senior civil servant responsible for communicating the official position of the government to the media. The spokesperson is a politically impartial official who works at the heart of 10 Downing Street. The role serves as a link between the Prime Minister’s Office and the accredited political journalists based […]