Central Government Departments and Contacts

The Assets Recovery Agency was established under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to co-ordinate activity across the UK in recovering unlawfully obtained assets from those with no right to hold them. We have offices in London and Belfast.

The Attorney General's Office - or Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers - is a small department supporting the Attorney General and Solicitor General across the range of their Ministerial responsibilities. The Attorney General is the chief legal advisor to the Government and is ultimately responsible for all Crown litigation.

The Cabinet Office has a central role to support the Prime Minister in ensuring delivery of the Government's strategy, helping to achieve positive change, particularly in the priority areas of health, transport, crime and asylum. The work is to support government in transacting its business and delivering key public service, including the drive for universal internet connection. They also co-ordinate security, intelligence and civil contingencies' matters to protect the UK against disruptive challenges.

Created in 1984, CADW carries out the complete range of responsibilities for the conservation, presentation, and promotion of the built heritage of Wales on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales.

The Central Office of Information (also known as COI) works in partnership with government departments and agencies to create effective communication solutions. We combine in-depth knowledge of the communications business with our understanding of government.

Involved in research into food safety, safeguarding food supply and protecting the environment. The CSL is a separate business unit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and delivers advice, technical support and enforcement activities to customers in the public and private sectors worldwide.

CEFAS provides a full range of contract research, consultancy and training services in many areas, ranging from fisheries management and disease control to diagnostics and environmental impact assessments. We deliver to an international customer base which is made up of government departments, the pharmaceutical industry, environmental agencies and local authorities. Most of our 550 staff are based at our Lowestoft laboratory.

Charities exist to create a better society. The Charity Commission's job, as their independent regulator, is to help them achieve this. By working closely with charities to ensure they are accountable, well run and meet their legal obligations, we contribute significantly to a charity sector that enjoys a high level of public trust and confidence.

They are responsible for administering the child support system and for assessing, collecting and enforcing child maintenance. The CSA delivers its services via six centres across the UK. Each employs more than 900 people, all focused on ensuring they meet the objectives and provide the best possible service for the many clients.

The DCLG devise and manage government policy and legislation, advising departments on successful implementation strategies at regional and local level. With special responsibilities for housing, planning, neighbourhood renewal and social inclusion, and regional and local services, they work to make a real difference to local people, often bringing together other experts to share resources, ideas and knowledge to develop more effective ways of providing solutions to problems.

Companies House is an Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), employing over 1,000 people, and responsible for incorporating and dissolving companies under the Companies Act and related legislation.

The CRB - an executive agency of the Home Office - helps organisations make safer recruitment decisions. By providing wider access to criminal record information, the CRB will help employers in the public, private and voluntary sectors identify candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially that involving contact with children or other vulnerable members of society.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is the sole public prosecuting authority in Scotland. It also investigates sudden deaths, complaints against the police and a number of other civil functions.

The CPS is the independent body prosecuting anyone charged with a criminal offence by the police in England and Wales. Headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, our aim is to achieve a national prosecution service. We're structured into 42 geographical areas, each with its own Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP).

CSSC is an Industrial and Provident Society owned by its members. They are the largest provider of corporate sport & leisure in the U.K, providing sport and leisure opportunities for civil servants throughout the UK ranging from international level sport to taster sessions, theatre trips to family fun days and special discounts on retail brands to major tourist attractions. They also set up health and fitness centres in government buildings, as well as owning sports grounds and fishing and sailing waters. There are around 80 Head Office staff of which 15 are based in different geographic regions. However, most CSSC activities are run by volunteers, of which we have at least 10,000.

The Debt Management Office operates at the centre of the financial markets, interacting on a daily basis with major financial institutions to balance the daily cash flows to and from Government, and dealing in Government bonds (gilts) to finance the Government's cash requirements. They are a public sector organisation operating in a private sector environment, with the result that risk management and value for money are key objectives rather than making a profit. The DMO aspires to follow best practice as a regulated financial trading institution and is at the forefront of the modernising government agenda.

The Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) was launched in July 1992 to provide professional analytical, economic and statistical services and advice to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and defence-related statistics to Parliament, other Government Departments and the public. They employ a mixture of statisticians, economists, IT specialists, other analysts and specialists, and administrative staff.

The MOD recruits engineering and science graduates into the Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG). The DESG is a community of 9,000 professional civilian engineers and scientists working within MOD Civil Service to equip and support UK Armed Forces with state of the art technology. The prestigious DESG Graduate Scheme has been held in high regard throughout industry for almost thirty years. The Scheme is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the Royal institute of Naval Architects (RINA) and offers an accelerated route to professional registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Equipping the Armed Forces" is the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA)'s central mission. They procure new equipment for the Armed Forces and provide other procurement-related services to its customers.

Dstl is the centre of scientific excellence for the UK Ministry of Defence, housing one of the largest groups of scientists and engineers in public service in the country. The 3,000-strong workforce is based at sites all over Britain and includes some of the nation's most talented and creative scientists.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform leads work to create the conditions for business success; to promote productivity, enterprise, competition and better regulation - all vital for a strong and strengthening British business sector. The Department brings together the functions from the former Department of Trade & Industry including responsibilities for productivity, business relations, energy, competition and consumers with the Better Regulation Executive (BRE) previously part of the Cabinet Office.

Operating in diverse sectors that account for over 12% of total employment in the UK, we contribute more than £60 million to the economy. They employ 470 people, and offer varied and rewarding career paths in one of the most outward-looking Whitehall departments.

The DfES is dedicated to bringing about a more educated, highly skilled workforce - critical to the nation's continued success in the global marketplace. Currently they employ around 4,000 people in London, Sheffield, Runcorn and Darlington.

DEFRA has an exceptionally broad range of responsibilities, each of which impact on the daily life of the nation - whether it be for today or for generations to come. As well as protecting the environment, they are involved in farming, fisheries and the food chain. Animal health and welfare, and rural affairs and land use also come under their authority. Such scope ensures that they employ an equally broad range of people to contribute to the development of our policies. In all, they employ around 11,000 people, located at eight offices around the country.

DFID has committed to the internationally-agreed target of halving the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015. Though much of their effort concentrates on Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, they also work in Central and Eastern Europe. They operate in partnership with governments, international and national non-governmental organisations, the private sector and institutions such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the EU. Over 800 of their people are overseas, with a further 1,400 at one or other of our HQ sites in central London and East Kilbride. These UK bases employ professional advisers and general administrators who support the promotion of sustainable livelihoods, better health and improved management in poorer countries.

DFID has committed to the internationally-agreed target of halving the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015. Though much of their effort concentrates on Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, they also work in Central and Eastern Europe. They operate in partnership with governments, international and national non-governmental organisations, the private sector and institutions such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the EU. Over 800 of their people are overseas, with a further 1,400 at one or other of their HQ sites in central London and East Kilbride.

The DfT work to improve transport services in many ways. They set policy framework through legislation and regulation, through funding services, by supporting investment in infrastructure and by influencing people's behaviour. Often they work through other organisations, such as local authorities, other government departments, public bodies and the private sector. They also work with the European Commission and other member states on many transport issues as well as internationally - with the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Maritime Organisation. Looking at transport as a whole, they match solutions to specific problems by assessing all the options. They employ around 13,000 staff, nearly 90% of whom work in six executives agencies such as the DVLA, the Highways Agency and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The Department for Work and Pensions is the biggest government department. Over 100,000 people around the country work for them. They operate through a number of different businesses to deliver the Government's policy of promoting opportunity and independence for all through work, where this is appropriate, or support for those unable to work.

The aim of the Department of Health is to improve the health and well-being of people in England. Based mainly in London and Leeds, the Department is responsible for: -setting the overall direction and driving forward change and modernisation in the NHS and social care. - setting national standards to improve quality of services. - advising Ministers on making major investment decisions.- driving choice for patients and users. - working with key partners (for example, Strategic Health authorities, the voluntary sector and patient groups) to ensure that the public receive quality services. To ensure that the needs of patients and service users are at the forefront of health and social care, they focus on the things that most matter to patients - such as cancer, heart disease, mental health, primary care and older peoples' care - as well as reducing appointment waiting times. Other priorities focus on making sure they have the right staff and right capacity to deliver first-class treatment and care.

The aim of the Department of Health is to improve the health and well-being of people in England. Based mainly in London and Leeds, the Department is responsible for: setting the overall direction and driving forward change and modernisation in the NHS and social care - setting national standards to improve quality of services - advising Ministers on making major investment decisions - driving choice for patients and users - working with key partners (for example, Strategic Health authorities, the voluntary sector and patient groups) to ensure that the public receive quality services. They ensure that the needs of patients and service users are at the forefront of health and social care. They focus on the things that most matter to patients - such as cancer, heart disease, mental health, primary care and older peoples' care - as well as reducing appointment waiting times. Other priorities focus on making sure they have the right staff and right capacity to deliver first-class treatment and care.

The DTI's goal is to generate the competitiveness and scientific excellence the nation needs to succeed in global marketplaces. They are particularly involved in Europe, which currently generates over three million jobs. They also work in partnership with industry and the scientific community to drive the delivery of better goods and services, and to harness the vast potential of e-commerce. Such widespread involvement creates a variety of activities and they employ some 10,000 people in generalist and specialist roles. The majority of our workforce is based in London, though there are also DTI offices in locations such as Cardiff, Edinburgh and Newport.

DVLA deals with Britain's 38m drivers and 28m vehicles. Their main focus is on issuing and withdrawing driving licences where appropriate, licensing and registering vehicles and collecting vehicle excise duty (VED). The main operational centre of their business is in Swansea. In addition there are 40 local offices across the UK which provide over-the-counter services and enforce the collection of VED. They have a workforce of over 5,700, with almost 1,500 working in local offices.

Promoting road safety through improved driving standards, the DSA raises its own funds through providing driving tests and selling related goods and services. The head office is in Nottingham and is supported by area offices in London, Edinburgh and Birmingham, as well as call centres in Newcastle and Cardiff. They also have nearly 400 driving test centres throughout the country. Together they employ almost 2,100 people.

ETS were established as an executive agency in April 1997. They are part of a framework which exists to enable employment disputes to be resolved. Their role is to support the judiciary by carrying out administrative tasks necessary to enable applications to Employment Tribunals and appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) to be determined. They manage the resources allocated by Ministers for this purpose. They deal with all paperwork and correspondence relating to cases and make practical arrangements for hearing and supporting tribunals during cases.

Estyn is the office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales. It is independent of, but funded by, the National Assembly for Wales underSection 104 of the Government of Wales Act 1998. It is headed by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector and is staffed by Her Majesty's Inspectors and administrative staff. Estyn has approximately 100 staff, who are deployed in offices in both Cardiff and Mold.

The ECGD works to benefit the country's economy, by helping UK exporters to win business and UK firms to invest overseas. They do this in a number of ways, but principally by providing support for export finance, credit insurance and overseas investment insurance. In 2001/2 they supported around £3bn of UK exports. They have offices in London and Cardiff and currently employ some 400 people in a variety of jobs. Telephone 020 7512 7128

The Fire Service College (FSC) is an agency of the ODPM and employs around 280 members of staff, mostly civil servants and also officers seconded from the UK Fire & Rescue Services. They offer opportunities in a wide range of roles including finance, human resources, IT, sales & marketing, telesales, facilities, library and information resource centre, incident ground and lecturers in the specialist training departments.

Fisheries Research Services (FRS) is an Agency of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD). The aim of FRS is to provide expert scientific and technical advice on marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture, and the protection of the aquatic environment and its wildlife. This is to ensure, as far as possible, that the policies and regulatory activities of Government are supported by full and up-to-date knowledge.

The FSA provides advice and information to the public and Government on food safety, from farm to fork, nutrition and diet. It protects consumers through effective food enforcement and monitoring, promoting best practice within the food industry and the honest and informative labelling to help consumers.

The main work of the Forestry Commission is to advise forestry ministers on appropriate policy and ways of implementing that policy throughout Britain. By making sure the public forest estate is managed efficiently and in a sustainable way, their work brings many diverse benefits. These range from delivering high-quality scientific research and surveys, to informing the development of forest policies and practices, not to mention promoting high standards of sustainable forest management. Working for Britain's largest estate manager, their 3,500 staff currently have responsibility for over 2 million acres of land in Scotland, Wales and England.

GAD helps clients formulate national policy, manage public sector finance and project the impact of population change. They are an independent actuarial consultancy that works within government for government, delivering actuarial advice to ministers, government departments and other public sector bodies across the UK. Their knowledge is also sought by governments abroad as well as by non-government clients. Their operational areas are Occupational Pensions, Social Insurance and Demography and Statistics.

The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport. Its aims and objectives are to provide quality security-related support services to Government departments, the public sector and other approved customers, making sure that a full, effective and efficient service is provided whilst taking economical and environmental issues into consideration. GCDA competes in a commercial environment where customers have freedom to choose the service providers they use.

GCHQ is one of the UK's three intelligence agencies, charged with detecting and preventing serious crime, combating international terrorism, aiding the fight against drug trafficking and nuclear proliferation, and delivering military, political and diplomatic intelligence. Based in Cheltenham, we employ over 4,000 people to fulfil their core intelligence and security roles.

GCHQ is one of the UK's three intelligence agencies, charged with detecting and preventing serious crime, combating international terrorism, aiding the fight against drug trafficking and nuclear proliferation, and delivering military, political and diplomatic intelligence. They are at the forefront of technology, working with the world's most advanced hardware and software, satellite and other cutting edge communications and intelligence techniques. Much of their technology is not yet available commercially. They also advise the government and British industry on how best to use communications and computer technology for total network security. Based in Cheltenham, They employ over 4,000 people to fulfil our core intelligence and security roles.

Government Communication Network (GCN) brings together all the communication professionals working in UK government departments and agencies. They include specialists in media relations, strategic marketing, electronic, internal and stakeholder communication, as well as writers, editors and designers.

GES provides expert economic advice on a wide range of macroeconomic and microeconomic issues. We have around 900 economists whose specialist skills and understanding are employed across a wide variety of socially worthwhile issues.

GES provides expert economic advice on a wide range of macroeconomic and microeconomic issues. They have around 900 economists whose specialist skills and understanding are employed across a wide variety of socially worthwhile issues.

The work of the Government Finance Profession (GFP) is varied and covers areas ranging from accounts production to system development, competition regulation in the DTI, investigating tax evasion in the HM Revenue and Customs, to providing advice on departments' spending in the Treasury. They comprise some 3,500 qualified CCAB accountants, with an additional 3,500 undertaking training with one of the CCAB bodies. Members of GFM are deployed throughout central Government departments and their agencies.

The work of the Government Finance Profession (GFP) is varied and covers areas ranging from accounts production to system development, competition regulation in the DTI, investigating tax evasion in the HM Revenue and Customs, to providing advice on departments' spending in the Treasury. They comprise of some 3,500 qualified CCAB accountants, with an additional 3,500 undertaking training with one of the CCAB bodies. Members of GFM are deployed throughout central Government departments and their agencies.

The GLS advises the Government on complex, novel and politically sensitive issues, often concerned with the most high profile events of the day. They have around 1,900 lawyers and legal trainees, with the majority based in government departments in and around London. Though the government is their only client, our area of involvement ranges from the review, development and reform of the judicial system, to the conduct of civil litigation and judicial reviews from their earliest stages. They also lead on European legislation, and are involved in the preparation of cases before the European Courts of Justice and Human Rights.

The Government Office for London exists to make London a better place to live and work, working hands-on, with and through a range of regional, sub-regional and local delivery agencies across all sectors to stimulate real and sustainable changes on the ground.

The Government Office for the East of England covers Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. They bring together into a single operation the varied regional activities of a range of Government departments with the aim of making the Region a better place to live and work in. Government Offices are now part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which also covers regional and urban policy, local government, planning, housing and regeneration.

The Government Office for the West Midlands (GO-WM) covers the geographical area including Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. It also covers Metropolitan areas such as Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. As a Government Office, they are sponsored by 7 Government Departments:Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Department for Transport Department for Trade and Industry Department of Environment , Food and Rural Affairs Department for Education and Skills Home Office Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The Government Office (GO) network has a crucial role in the delivery of government policy at the regional and local level. It provides a mechanism for improved delivery of services, which have cross cutting outcomes and which make a real difference on the ground to local people.

They cover Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley. They recognise and appreciate the diversity of the North East, from its urban towns and cities to rural, coastal and National Park areas.

Mission: To improve the quality of life of people in the North West by serving Ministers effectively and ensuring that government policy is developed and implemented in the best way.

Purpose: Government Offices exist to manage programmes on behalf of various departments including ODPM, DTI, DFES, DfT, DEFRA and Home Office to support and facilitate effective linkages between partners and programmes and to inform the development of Departmental policies from a regional perspective.

The Government office for the South West (GOSW) is an outpost of central government. From their offices in Bristol, Plymouth and Truro they represent the work and interests of several Government departments: GOSW has a Regional Director - Jane Henderson who heads up 6 Directorates: Regional Policies and Enterprise Local Government, Housing and Planning Sustainability, Intelligence & Rural Affairs, Young People, Regeneration and Communities Transport and European Programmes, Corporate Services, Crime, Drugs and Emergencies.

Government social researchers are responsible for research that informs the development, implementation and evaluation of a wide range of government policies. About 1000 social researchers work in 19 central government departments, including those working in the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Career opportunities are diverse, with plenty of scope for moving between departments and also for working on different policy areas within departments.

The GSS provides parliament, government and the wider community with statistical information to help decision making, stimulate research and inform debate. GSS is the UK's largest employer of statisticians, with more than 900 in as many as 30 different departments and agencies nationwide. The statistics they create - and often publish - are used to monitor, formulate and amend government policy. Their statisticians also collect and analyse data, and then interpret it before explaining their findings to ministers and administrators.

GAD helps clients formulate national policy, manage public sector finance and project the impact of population change. They are an independent actuarial consultancy that works within government for government, delivering actuarial advice to ministers, government departments and other public sector bodies across the UK. Their knowledge is also sought by governments abroad as well as by non-government clients. Their operational areas are Occupational Pensions, Social Insurance and Demography and Statistics.

The HSE is responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to Health & Safety arising from work activity in Great Britain. Their mission is to ensure that risks to people's health and safety from work activities are properly controlled. They help modernise the law, secure compliance to it, provide information and advice, and promote risk assessment. Theie responsibilities range from developing guidance and legislation for explosives and flammable substances, to dealing with workplaces such as nuclear installations, mines, factories, farms, hospitals and schools, offshore gas and oil installations, the safety of the gas grid and the movement of dangerous goods and substances, railway safety, and many other aspects of the protection both of workers and the public.

Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Their remit is to deliver justice effectively and efficiently to the public. HMCS is structured into 25 areas within 7 regions, together with the Royal Courts of Justice group whose role includes the administration of the Court of Appeal, High Court and Probate Service. HMCS provides administration and support for the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Crown Court, the magistrates' courts, the county courts and the Probate Service.

Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Their remit is to deliver justice effectively and efficiently to the public. Our goal is that: All citizens according to their differing needs are entitled to access to justice, whether as victims of crime, defendants accused of crimes, consumers in debt, children in need of care, or business people in commercial disputes. Their aim is to ensure that access is provided as quickly as possible and at the lowest cost consistent with open justice and that citizens have greater confidence in, and respect for, the system of justice. HMCS is structured into 25 areas within 7 regions, together with the Royal Courts of Justice group whose role includes the administration of the Court of Appeal, High Court and Probate Service.

At HMGCC they design, develop and produce specialist communications systems and equipment for HM Government at home and overseas. Their aim is to provide quick reaction technical support for our customers. They need enthusiastic team players across a range of skill sets to support our core engineering business and infrastructure. They offer a variety of opportunities from design and development of bespoke electronic and IT products through project management to final manufacture and production, including corporate services.

At HMGCC they design, develop and produce specialist communications systems and equipment for HM Government at home and overseas. Their aim is to provide quick reaction technical support for our customers. They need enthusiastic team players across a range of skill sets to support our core engineering business and infrastructure. They offer a variety of opportunities from design and development of bespoke electronic and IT products through project management to final manufacture and production, including corporate services.

In the 10 years since the Agency was formed as part of the Department for Transport, their responsibilities have grown significantly due to the growing pressures on their road network and the need to deliver better nationwide transport services. They have remained committed to improving the network through building new roads and improving existing routes but have taken a more active role in tackling all aspects of highway safety and congestion by becoming a network operator. They have now taken this commitment a step further by developing a more active role as traffic manager working directly out on the network and becoming a provider of information to road users. They have a diverse workforce of administrative, technical and support professionals who work in partnership with others to find solutions to transport problems, exploit new technology, and improve the management and measurement of what they do. They have offices in London, Dorking, Birmingham, Hemel Hempstead, Bedford, Exeter, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds. The Highways Agency runs a Graduate Leadership Development Scheme.

Historic Scotland is an Agency within the Scottish Executive Education Department and is directly responsible to Scottish Ministers for safeguarding the nation's built heritage, and promoting its understanding and enjoyment. Scotland's built heritage is a rich tapestry that illuminates the nation's history from the earliest times; from prehistoric standing stones to medieval castles and formal great gardens through to Georgian houses, Victorian factories and Second World War defences. Historic Scotland works through partnerships to safeguard the built heritage for future generations.

The Immigration Service deals with over 90 million passengers each year. Based at all the main points of entry into the UK, their officers carry out personal interviews and passport examinations before making decisions on who can enter. It is a fast-moving environment that brings them into contact with people from all walks of life, and from different ethnic backgrounds and nations.

The nature of the work ensures an interesting, varied and constantly changing work environment, where patience, diplomacy and sensitivity to the situation of others are all key qualities. It is also important to see the significance of the role, and to have the flexibility to work unconventional shifts, including nights, some weekends and bank holidays. New entrants are usually posted to Dover, Heathrow or Gatwick.

The Prison Service is a huge organisation with over 135 establishments and some 40,000 staff. This represents ten percent of the whole Civil Service. As well as ensuring effective custody of those in our care, we're responsible for helping them to lead law-abiding and useful lives after their release. Currently, some 60,000 citizens reside with us. An understanding of human life and compassion for the lives of others are vital if you are to develop your career with us.

The Prison Service is a huge organisation with over 135 establishments and some 40,000 staff. This represents ten percent of the whole Civil Service. As well as ensuring effective custody of those in our care, they are responsible for helping them to lead law-abiding and useful lives after their release. Currently, some 60,000 citizens reside with them. An understanding of human life and compassion for the lives of others are vital if you are to develop your career with them.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the new department responsible for the business of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise. As a single department, HMRC will have the added benefit of producing greater efficiencies, reducing the tax gap and providing a greater customer focus. HMRC is responsible for collecting the bulk of tax revenue as well as paying tax credits and child benefit, and strengthening the UK's frontiers. They manage:

• Income, Corporation, Capital Gains, Inheritance, Insurance Premium, Stamp, Land and Petroleum Revenue Taxes
• Environmental taxes: climate change and aggregates levy and landfill tax
• VAT
• Customs Duties and frontier protection
• Excise Duties
• National Insurance
• Tax Credits
• Child Benefit and the Child Trust Fund
• Enforcement of the National Minimum Wage
• Recovery of Student Loan repayments
• Developing Lorry Road user Charging

HMT's principal aim is to create economic and employment opportunities that will lead to sustainable growth and rising prosperity for the UK. Their staff assist ministers in formulating and implementing a wide range of policies. Some of these are economic, such as maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment and strengthening the long-term performance of the economy. Others focus on social reform, financial stability, the promotion of competition, enterprise and the provision of better public services. Their environment tests and develops individual skills, and brings the satisfaction of working on real issues that influence life in the UK and overseas.

The Home Office is responsible for some of the most crucial components of social policy and service delivery. As well as developing and implementing policy across a range of areas, they deliver three of the largest and most complex public services: the Prison Service, the National Probation Service and the Immigration Service. They currently employ almost 70,000 people with a whole range of backgrounds, expertise and experiences. They are managers, researchers, statisticians, policy advisers and analysts, caseworkers, accountants and media and communications professionals. The Home Office is located across the UK, with major offices in central London, Croydon, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield. In every location, they need people who bring strong or oganisational ability, energy, and enthusiasm, people who can innovate and solve problems.

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is a new executive agency of the Home Office which has been created by joining the UK Passport Service and the Home Office's Identity Cards Programme. IPS provides passport services and in the future, as part of the National Identity Scheme, ID cards for British and Irish nationals resident in the UK.

The Independent Review Service for the Social Fund (IRS) is an independent statutory body operating a formal grievance procedure for the discretionary social fund. Dissatisfied applicants who have exhausted JobCentre Plus decision-making and review procedures have a statutory right to an independent review by a Social Fund Inspector. Their core business is the delivery of Social Fund Inspectors' reviews. Social Fund Inspectors and other staff are appointed by the Social Fund Commissioner. They conduct an independent review of decisions made by JobCentre Plus. The review normally takes the form of a paper hearing. Applicants are sent copies of the documents used by JobCentre Plus and are asked to comment on them.

They administer and investigate the affairs of bankrupts and companies that have gone into compulsory liquidation. We establish the reasons for insolvency, report our findings to creditors, and report any misconduct by bankrupts and directors. They also assess the grounds for disqualifying directors in corporate failures, carry out the authorisation and regulation of insolvency practitioners, provide banking and investment services in bankruptcies and liquidation, and provide advice to ministers.

They employ around 1,500 people in generalist roles at our headquarters in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh, as well as at 33 locations throughout England and Wales. Many are specialist insolvency examiners who administer and investigate their own cases, principally by interviewing bankrupts. They also have people in general administrative and managerial roles.

Jobcentre Plus is a completely new government organisation for people of working age. From April 2002 it replaces the Employment Service, which ran Jobcentres, and those parts of the Benefits Agency which helped people of working age with benefits through social security offices. Jobcentre Plus offers a number of services and programmes to help Jobseekers, unemployed people (particularly long-term unemployed people), people with disabilities and others who may need extra help in finding work.

Land Registry maintains the largest register of land and property information in the world, covering all land use across England and Wales, from agricultural to residential and everything in between. The records kept include information such as ownership of property, mortgage details and land use restrictions. Each time someone buys or sells their home, we help. From start to finish they are part of the process, from providing proof of ownership to registering the changes. They provide a range of essential information and services to solicitors and to members of the public, vital to the buying and selling process. Each day they handle transactions worth around £600 million, and by charging for their services we are completely self-financed.

Currently they employ over 8,500 people at 26 regional offices across England and Wales. These include their Head Office in Central London and their IT section in Plymouth. Like many jobs now, working with them involves a combination of challenging technical work with some more routine responsibilities. Often this will involve using IT to examine or prepare sometimes complex legal documents and detailed plans. There are also opportunities in areas such as Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, Procurement & Facilities, Finance and IT.

The Marine Fisheries Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).The Agency has responsibility for enforcing sea fisheries regulations within English and Welsh waters, in accordance with the Common Fisheries Policy and its associated regulations, as laid out by Defra. Marine Fisheries Agency Inspectors and Fisheries Officers are based at 20 offices located around the coast in England and Wales and an Operations room in the Agency's London headquarters. Its headquarters office also has an administrative staff dealing with grants; licensing; quota management; statistical; finance; and providing business and operational support.

MCA came into being in 1998 when the Coastguard Agency and Marine Safety Agency merged. Our main activities are to provide round-the-clock maritime search and rescue service; to inspect and enforce ships' standards; to register ships and seafarers; and, where possible, to prevent or deal with pollution.Our headquarters are in Southampton, with a further 19 coastguard coordination centres and 18 marine offices around the country. Currently we employ 1,100 people who are supported by over 3,000 members of HM Auxiliary Service.

james_morris@mcga.gov.uk

Operating in England, Scotland and Wales, the MHS provides the consumer and meat industry with a single independent enforcement agency - applying consistent standards, and providing consistent inspection and enforcement services. Accountable to the Food Standards Agency and to Parliament via Health Ministers, we provide an essential service to protect public health and promote consumer confidence. This includes a unified inspection service under veterinary supervision acceptable to European Union and third country trading partners and a transparent national basis for meat inspection charges. We are best placed to manage changes and developments in meat inspection and risk management.

recruitment@mhs.gov.uk

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Health, protecting and promoting public health and patient safety by ensuring that medicines, healthcare products and medical equipment meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, performance and effectiveness and are used safely.

The Met Office has a vast number of customers, from television and online audiences to virtually every industry sector in the UK. To meet their diverse needs we employ around 1,800 people who help us deliver a world-class, value-added service.

As the UK's security intelligence agency, MI5 has stringent recruitment procedures. We employ the highest calibre people, ensure they stay motivated and give them every opportunity to progress. Generalist staff are recruited at two levels for our core investigative work, strategy, policy and some operational tasks. Graduates from any degree discipline can apply for our graduate entry scheme, which is also open to those without a degree, but with the experience and skills to contribute directly to our work.We run a regular recruitment programme for administrators, who are responsible for the accurate, well managed records that are essential to our success. Using modern computer systems, they act in a support capacity for investigative personnel. In addition, we employ specialist staff, including linguists, scientists, communications specialists, surveillance officers and technical and IT staff.

As the high-profile headquarters of the armed forces, the MoD provides political control for all military operations and is responsible for over 200,000 service people throughout the world. We also employ more than 100,000 civilians across the UK.

As the high-profile headquarters of the armed forces, the MoD provides political control for all military operations and is responsible for over 200,000 service people throughout the world. They also employ more than 100,000 civilians across the UK.

On 29 March 2007, the Prime Minister announced that a new Ministry of Justice would be established from 9 May 2007. The new Ministry comprises the former Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) and parts of the Home Office responsible for the management of justice. This reform represents a significant step in the Government's commitment to the delivery of justice and constitutional reform. The new Ministry will improve the ability of the justice system to serve the public, whether they encounter it as victims or witnesses in a criminal case or whether they use the family courts, the civil courts or the Tribunal service.

The National Archives was launched in April 2003, and brings together two existing organisations, the Public Record Office and the Historical Manuscripts Commission. Over the next 12 months, the National Archives will combine the services and expertise of both the PRO and the HMC. It will be a national resource for anyone interested in, or with responsibility for, documents relating to British history: whether for professional research reasons, as an archivist or records manager, for school or learning projects or, simply, for personal curiosity and a unique day out.

The National Assembly has two distinct areas, each with its own specific responsibilities. The Welsh Assembly government is concerned with economic development, health, education, social services, local government, agriculture, housing, transport, the environment and European affairs. The Presiding Office delivers a support service for plenary sessions and committees; it also provides our communication service, including library and translation services. Together we aim to meet the needs of this generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own, and to develop an inclusive Welsh society where everyone can fulfil their potential. Our people currently number 3,500 and work throughout Wales, with the majority based in Cardiff.

As an executive agency of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, National Savings and Investments offers a range of financial products to the public. The money we bring in is then used by the Treasury to help manage the national debt cost-effectively, and to contribute towards the government's funding needs. In effect, customers who invest in us are lending money to the government, which then pays them interest in return.

The National School of Government is the business school for government operating from its heart and dedicated to the public sector. Like many organisations, we have had several rebirths since starting life in 1969. As the Civil Service College and latterly the Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS), 2005 saw the launch of the National School of Government.

The role of the National Weights & Measures Laboratory, an Executive Agency in the Department of Trade and Industry, is to ensure UK measurement is accurate, fair and legal. We have responsibility for policy on measuring instruments in use for trade and the implementation of European Directives on measuring instruments and provides the focus for legal metrology in the UK.

The Laboratory is responsible for the examination and approval of new weighing and measuring equipment to be used for trade, to establish compliance with the requirements of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 and relevant European legislation. Equipment ranges from railway weighbridges to supermarket scales and from beer meters to petrol pumps. Many of the measuring instruments are total systems incorporating microprocessor-based control and management features. A consultancy service is available to manufacturers at all stages of development of equipment prior to application for type approval.National Weights and Measures Laboratory maintains tracebility in trade measurement on behalf of the Secretary of State. It maintains mass, volume and length standards, which are used to re-verify Trading Standards Departments measures on a five year cycle. In addition NWML provides calibration and testing services in the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) - accredited laboratories in Teddington for local authorities and customers from industry - and training in trade aspects of legal metrology.

The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) has the mission to modernise and improve the performance of the NHS purchasing and supply system and be the centre of expertise, knowledge and excellence on matters of purchasing and supply for the NHS for the benefit of patients and the public. Over the past five years NNS PASA has delivered savings to the NHS of over a billion pounds. Their work includes:

• Negotiating national contracts on behalf of the NHS in England, and where appropriate, other NHS and government bodies Providing strategic guidance on procurement to the NHS Providing practical guidance, education and training to those involved in procurement throughout the NHS Working with suppliers to ensure that the NHS has a robust supply chain and access to a wide and excellent range of goods and services Leading on promoting sustainable development within the NHS and its supply chain to reduce the negative environmental and social impacts of procurement decisions
• Encouraging the introduction of beneficial innovative products and technologies into the NHS Support for NHS national priorities Predominately employing purchasing professionals, NHS PASA is committed to the continued development of its staff. As well as providing job related training, where employees wish to obtain professional qualifications which are relevant to their work, NHS PASA may provide financial assistance.

The role of the Northern Ireland Office is to support the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in securing a lasting peace, based on the Good Friday Agreement, in which the rights and identities of all traditions in Northern Ireland are fully respected and safeguarded and in which a safe, stable, just, open and tolerant society can thrive and prosper.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the independent government agency at the heart of National Statistics that collects, compiles and publishes statistics on all facets of national life. Our work covers a wide range of UK economic and social statistics, including national accounts and economic indicators, measures of inflation, labour market and business statistics, and population estimates and projections. We currently employ about 3,000 people in our offices, based in London, Newport (Gwent), Southport and Titchfield (Hampshire).

The OFT's job is to make markets work well for consumers. Markets work well when businesses are in open, fair and vigorous competition with each other for the consumer's custom.