| What are the main functions of the executive? | Propose legislation, propose a budget, make policy decisions |
| How does cabinet propose legislation? | Most legislation that is put to parliament comes from the government through the cabinet, often based on manifesto promises |
| How does cabinet propose a budget? | This is done by the Chancellor, following negotiations with other departments and in cabinet |
| How does cabinet make policy decisions? | the cabinet sets the legislative and policy direction of the government. Ministers will base decisions on this and will publicly support government policy |
| What are executive powers? | control over the legislative agenda, they also have powers of 'secondary legislation' where ministers are granted specific powers under laws passed by parliament |
| What are examples of powers granted by 'secondary legislation'? | making of guidelines and regulations and the approval of projects and actions |
| What makes up the concept of ministerial responsibility? | Collective responsibility and individual responsibility |
| What is collective responsibility ? | the notion that the government as a collective is responsible to parliament for its action. If the government is defeated in a vote of no confidence the whole government resigns, an all ministers support policies from all departments . |
| What is individual responsibility ? | the notion that ministers are responsible to parliament for actions of their own department. This can be done through PMQ's or select committees. They may have to resign due to a mistake from their department, a personal mistake or a personal scandal. |
| What is an example of collective responsibility ? | 29 April 2018, Rudd resigned as Home Secretary, stating in her letter of resignation that she had "inadvertently misled the Home Affairs Select Committee on the issue of illegal immigration |
| What is an example of individual responsibility ? | In March 2016, Duncan Smith unexpectedly resigned from the Cabinet. He stated that he was unable to accept the government's planned cuts to disability benefits. |
| When may collective responsibility be weakened? | during a coalition government when government policy needs to be negotiated between the two parties |
| What is an example of collective responsibility being weakened under a coalition government? | during the 2010 Lib Dem and conservative coalition, exemptions to collective responsibilities were given for campaigning for the AV referendum and disagreements over proposed boundary changes |
