About the Government
Background
The island of St Helena is an internally self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom located in the South Atlantic approximately 4,000 miles from the UK.
The Government comprises a Governor (who is appointed by the Crown), five Ministers led by a Chief Minister whom together with the Attorney General as an ex-officio member form Executive Council, and a Legislative Council. The Governor retains constitutional responsibility for internal security (including Policing), external affairs, defence, the public service, the administration of justice and finance; noting that several aspects of these responsibilities have been delegated.
Executive Council determines the policy of Government, whilst Ministers exercise general direction and policy control over their respective portfolio in accordance with the policies of Government.
St Helena introduced a ministerial form of government in 2021 and Legislative Council commissioned an independent review to evaluate the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of governance structures. The St Helena Governance Review Report was laid in the House on 26 June 2025.
Before Legislative Council considers the recommendations, it has appointed a local Governance Commission to canvass the opinion of the St Helenian Community and will consider the feasibility of implementing the actions proposed in the report, along with priorities. The work of the Commission is ongoing.
The island’s population is around 4,000 and it has a typical small island economy with a high import dependency, a narrow economic base, a large public sector (928 staff at May 2026), and significant outward labour migration.
St Helena receives UK Government financial assistance to support recurrent and capital expenditure as part of their obligation to ensure that the reasonable needs of the population are met. Prioritising the use of this funding given the constraints and costs imposed by its remote location and small market presents significant challenge.
Commercial flights to St Helena commenced on 14 October 2017. These flights are weekly, however, during the southern hemisphere summer there are two flights per week. It is hoped that the tourism activity resulting from this will significantly enhance St Helena’s economic prospects and have a positive impact on the island community, bringing a period of accelerated social and economic change.
Achievement of Government’s Policies, Goals and Strategic Objectives will require enhanced collaboration with the Ministerial Team, along with sound management and transformation of the Public Service to make it a professional, modern, and flexible organisation able to initiate and respond to change, embrace opportunities and work effectively to mitigate challenges.
Public Service
Under the ministerial form of government, five ministers have responsibility for the Portfolios and Service Areas that constitutes the Public Service.
Subject to the general direction and policy control exercised by Minister’s over their respective Portfolio(s) and Service Area(s), each Portfolio/Area is administered by a Portfolio Director/Accounting Officer who reports to the Head of the Public Service. The Portfolios are: Economic Development; Education, Skills and Employment; Health and Social Care; Environment Natural Resources and Planning; and Safety, Security and Home Affairs. The Treasury is administered by the Deputy Financial Secretary, and there is also a Central Support Service administered by the Deputy Chief Secretary which provides support to all areas of the Public Service, as well as the Executive and Legislative Councils. Other than where otherwise prescribed by the Constitution, Central Services report to the Chief Minister and/or the Minister responsible for Treasury. The Financial Secretary is responsible for finance and is the principal financial advisor to the Government.