Government Agencies

A-Z of central government

An A-Z list of commissions, executive agencies, ombudsman and other non-departmental public bodies.

Border Agency

The UK Border Agency is responsible for border control for the UK, and enforcing immigration and customs regulations. It also considers applications for permission to enter or stay in the UK, citizenship and asylum.

Care Quality Commission

The CGC regulates adult and social care services delivered by the NHS, local authorities, private companies and voluntary sector. The website allows you to search for inspection reports and independent ratings or search local services, including care homes, healthcare and hospital services, and mental health services.

Charity Commission of England and Wales

The Charity Commission regulates and registers charities in England and Wales. This website includes news and information about the Commission and its work, and a searchable database of registered charities.

Companies House

Comprehensive website of Companies House, an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, which registers all limited companies in the UK. Its responsibilities include the incorporation and dissolvement of companies, and the storing and dissemination of information about companies.

Environment Agency

The place for information about flooding, pollution, water quality, waste and recycling as well as rod licenses.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Incorporates Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), Disability Rights Commission (DRC), Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and works to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society. This website includes news, information and advice.

Food Standards Agency

Information about food safety and risk to public health.

Homes and Communities Agency

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the national housing and regeneration agency for England working through partners to create thriving communities and affordable homes.

Highways Agency

Highways Agency are responsible for maintaining and improving England's motorways and trunk roads. Site includes live travel updates.

Land Registry

Land Registry Online is a database of over 20 million records of properties in England and Wales. Make a Property enquiry to find ownership details and property price information for a small fee.

National Lottery: Good Causes

This good causes portal includes information on how to apply for Lottery funding, news and information from the organisations that distribute money, and case studies of past projects.

Met Office

The Met Office’s website provides past, present and forecast weather locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, with satellite imagery, charts, news and other features.

The Met Office's weather forecast for the South West.

Natural England

Natural England is committed to conserving and enhancing the natural environment. It was created from English Nature and parts of the Countryside Agency, the Rural Development service.

Official Documents

This website provides access to Government titles dating from 1994, including Command (White or Green) Papers and House of Commons Papers, such as Annual Reports from Government bodies and financial statements and Budget Reports. Topics covered include the economy, work and welfare, health, transport and the environment.

Office for National Statistics

Includes access to the Gateway to National Statistics and data.gov.uk a project to support reuse of government data.

Revenue and Customs

Taxation information. Formerly HM Customs and Excise and HM Inland Revenue.