Guidance

List of Cabinet Committees and their membership

Updated 21 October 2024

National Security Council

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister, and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
  • Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Attorney General

Terms of Reference

To consider the strategic approach to national security, foreign policy, resilience, international relations, economic security, trade, development, defence and global issues.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

National Security Council (Nuclear)

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

Terms of Reference

To consider matters around nuclear deterrence and nuclear security. 

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

National Security Council (Ukraine)

  • Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (co-Chair)
  • Secretary of State for Defence (co-Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department

Terms of Reference

To consider matters relating to the Government’s response to the situation in Ukraine.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

National Security Council (Resilience)

  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister, and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer 
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Defence 
  • Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
  • Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
  • Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Terms of Reference

To oversee implementation and delivery of resilience matters.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

Europe

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
  • Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
  • Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and President of the Board of Trade
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Attorney General
  • Paymaster General, and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Relations)

Terms of Reference

To consider matters related to European affairs.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

Union and Constitution

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister, and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Deputy Chair)
  • Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State for Justice
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons
  • Lord Privy Seal, and Leader of the House of Lords
  • Chief Secretary to the Treasury
  • Attorney General
  • Paymaster General, and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Relations)

Terms of Reference

To consider matters related to the Union and constitutional reform.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

Home and Economic Affairs

  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Chair)
  • Deputy Prime Minister, and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer 
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State for Justice
  • Paymaster General, and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Relations)

Terms of Reference

To consider matters relating to home and economic affairs, including the implementation and delivery of domestic policy.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

Future of Work

  • Deputy Prime Minister, and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities
  • Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
  • Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and President of the Board of Trade
  • Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
  • Minister of State (Minister for Development), and Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
  • Paymaster General, and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Relations)

Terms of Reference

To consider and take decisions on matters related to the Make Work Pay package of reforms to the Employment Law framework.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

Science and Technology

  • Prime Minister (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
  • Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
  • Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities
  • Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and President of the Board of Trade
  • Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
  • Secretary of State for Transport
  • Minister of State (Minister for Science)

Terms of Reference

To consider matters related to science and technology, to drive the United Kingdom’s economic growth and national security.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

Parliamentary Business and Legislation

  • Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Lord Privy Seal, and Leader of the House of Lords
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
  • Chief Secretary to the Treasury
  • Attorney General
  • Paymaster General, and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Relations)
  • Lords Chief Whip (Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms)
  • Advocate General for Scotland

Terms of Reference

To consider matters related to the Government’s parliamentary business and delivery of the legislative programme, and prepare proposals for future legislative programmes.

Other Ministers will be invited according to the agenda.

Contingencies (COBR)

In general the Chair will be taken by the Secretary of State of the Government Department with the lead responsibility for the particular issues being considered, a Cabinet Office Minister, or the Prime Minister. Ministers will be invited according to the agenda. The devolved administrations, local government, officials, and representatives from external stakeholders may be invited to attend depending on the emergency.

Terms of Reference

To consider the response to national emergencies, including plans for the protection of life, the continuity of everyday activity and the restoration of disrupted services. Where required, to consider the protection of UK interests overseas and support to British nationals.

Mission Boards

Alongside Cabinet committees there are five designated Mission Boards - on growth, clean energy, safer streets, opportunities and health. The Boards are chaired by the respective lead Secretaries of State (with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as Deputy Chair), with a remit to oversee and drive progress on the relevant mission.