Cabinet Committees, 'Sofa Government', and Inner Circles

This lesson examines how decisions are really made at the centre of UK government. While Cabinet is the formal decision-making body, much of the real work happens in Cabinet committees, bilateral meetings, and informal networks. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for evaluating the distribution of power within the Executive.

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Cabinet Committees

What Are Cabinet Committees?

Cabinet committees are formal sub-groups of Cabinet that handle specific policy areas. They are established by the PM and their composition and terms of reference are set by the PM.

Examples of Cabinet committees:

• National Security Council (NSC)
• Economic Affairs Committee
• European Affairs Committee (during the Brexit period)
• COVID-19 Strategy Committee (during the pandemic)

How Do They Work?

• Cabinet committees are chaired by senior ministers (sometimes the PM).
• They take decisions on behalf of Cabinet — decisions made in committee have the same authority as decisions made in full Cabinet.
• Only issues that cannot be resolved in committee are referred to full Cabinet.
• The existence and composition of Cabinet committees is published, but their proceedings are confidential.

Significance