The Cabinet is the group of senior government ministers who are responsible for implementing the government's manifesto pledges.

Cabinet meetings are chaired by the Prime Minister at Downing Street once a week.

The Cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes.

Cabinet ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister and chosen from Labour's MPs or peers.

Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service
The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP

Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
The Rt Hon David Miliband MP

Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor
The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP

Secretary of State for the Home Department
The Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP

Secretary of State for Defence; and, Secretary of State for Scotland
The Rt Hon Des Browne MP

Secretary of State for Health
The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP

Secretary of State for International Development
The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP

Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
The Rt Hon John Hutton MP

Leader of the House of Commons (and Lord Privy Seal); Minister for Women; and Labour Party Chair
The Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP

Secretary of State for Work and Pension
The Rt Hon James Purnell MP

Secretary of State for Transport
The Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
The Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip
The Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
The Rt Hon Ed Balls MP

Minister for the Cabinet Office; and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Rt Hon Shaun Woodward MP

Leader of the House of Lords (and Lord President of the Council)
The Rt Hon the Baroness Ashton of Upholland

Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills
The Rt Hon John Denham MP

Secretary of State for Wales
The Rt Hon Paul Murphy MP