What we do

We support the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, and ensure the effective running of government. We are also the corporate headquarters for government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and we take the lead in certain critical policy areas.

CO is a ministerial department, supported by 19 agencies and public bodies.

Read more about what we do

We work on these topics

  1. Government efficiency, transparency and accountability

    Openness and transparency can save money, strengthen people's trust in government and encourage greater public participation in decision-making. Read more

  2. Community and society

    The government is supporting people who care about their communities and want to get involved in improving them. It believes that people understand the needs of their area best, which is why it is transferring power so people can make more decisions locally and solve their own problems to create strong, attractive and thriving neighbourhoods. Read more

  3. National security

    The government works to identify the most pressing risks to our security, and put in place the ways and means to address them. Read more

  4. Foreign affairs

    The government works to promote and protect UK interests internationally, and works with other countries to make progress on issues of mutual concern like trade, climate change, security and economic development. Read more

  5. Defence and armed forces

    The government works to defend the UK against threats to our national security, and to defend the interests of the UK and our allies in the world. Read more

  6. Public safety and emergencies

    The government provides funding and support for local emergency services including the police, fire and ambulance services, and sets national standards to make sure they are effective and consistent. Read more

Our policies

  1. Improving the transparency and accountability of government and its services

    Publishing government data, improving the accessibility of data and helping businesses use data to create new products and services.

  2. Keeping the UK safe in cyber space

    Improving cyber security to make cyber space safer for people and businesses and more resilient to cyber attacks and crime.

  3. Promoting social action: encouraging and enabling people to play a more active part in society

    Enouraging social action by making it easier for people to volunteer, to donate to charity and to help improve their local community

See all our policies

Documents

Our announcements

  1. Ukraine - latest updates

    • 17 April 2014
    • News story

  2. Government review of the Muslim Brotherhood

    • 17 April 2014
    • News story

See all our announcements

Our consultations

  1. Deregulation Bill: amendment to Clause 47

    • 26 February 2014
    • Closed consultation

  2. Big Lottery Fund triennial review: call for evidence

    • 16 December 2013
    • Closed consultation

See all our consultations

Our publications

  1. Civil Service Quarterly edition 4: April 2014

    • 17 April 2014
    • Research and analysis

  2. National Election Agents for the European Parliamentary elections 22 May 2014

    • 17 April 2014
    • Transparency data

See all our publications

Our statistics

  1. Departmental spending with SMEs

    • 27 February 2013
    • Statistics

  2. Building a bigger, stronger society - Community Life Survey infographic

    • 20 February 2013
    • Statistics

See all our statistics

Our ministers

Our management

Contact CO

General enquiries

Correspondence Team
70 Whitehall

London
SW1A 2AS

Efficiency and reform enquiries

ERG Service Desk
Cabinet Office
Rosebery Court
St Andrews Business Park
Norwich
Norfolk
NR7 0HS

Media enquiries

Make an FOI request

  1. Read about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and how to make a request
  2. Check our previous releases to see if we’ve already answered your question
  3. Make a new request by contacting us at:

Freedom of information requests

FOI Team
Cabinet Office
Room 3.32
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ

High profile groups within CO

Corporate information

Jobs and contracts

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