Government Car Service

Logo of the predecessor Government Car & Despatch Agency.

The Government Car Service (GCS) is a British organisation within the Cabinet Office that provides a high-quality, secure car service for Ministers of HM Government.^[1]

GCS was formerly part of the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA). This was an executive agency of the Department for Transport, responsible for providing logistics services to the United Kingdom government and wider public sector.

History

The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) was formed in 1997, when Security Facilities Executive was reformed.

The GCDA closed on Sunday 30 September 2012 following discontinuation of its despatch services earlier in the year. All government car services were closed as of that date, with the exception of secure transport for ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, former prime ministers and other senior officials, which transferred to the Department for Transport together with the supporting workshop services.^[2]^[3]

GCDA was split into two businesses: Government Car Service (GCS) and Government Mail. The GCS provided secure cars and drivers to government ministers^[2] and ran other people-movement services for the wider public sector. Government Mail (formerly known as the Interdespatch Service) provided inter-departmental mail and package movements, and a secure courier service for the wider public sector.

In July 2024, the GCS transferred to the Cabinet Office.

Operations

The GCS is responsible for the Prime Ministerial Car, which is stored and maintained at 10 Downing Street, and staffed by the Metropolitan Police.^[4]

References

^ "Government Car Service". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Government Car Service". Department for Transport. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
^ Simm, Pippa; Wheeler, Brian (19 February 2015). "When were prime ministers banned from driving?". BBC News. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
^ "SO1 Specialist Protection". eliteukforces.info. Retrieved 16 May 2022.

Sources

"Powering to key role with Government". The Star. Sheffield. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
"McCartney publishes blueprint for brighter future at Government Car and Despatch Agency". accessmylibrary.com. M2 PressWIRE. 12 April 2000. Retrieved 23 May 2008.^{[dead link‍]}

External links

Government Car Service

This article related to government in the United Kingdom or its constituent countries is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[1] "Government Car Service". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 July 2022.

[govuk-gcs-2] "Government Car Service". Department for Transport. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2015.

[3] Simm, Pippa; Wheeler, Brian (19 February 2015). "When were prime ministers banned from driving?". BBC News. Retrieved 20 September 2015.

[4] "SO1 Specialist Protection". eliteukforces.info. Retrieved 16 May 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

v t e Cabinet Office
Ministers	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Minister for the Cabinet Office Minister without Portfolio Leader of the House of Lords Leader of the House of Commons Paymaster General Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Cabinet Office
Civil Service	Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary
Ministerial departments	Office of the Leader of the House of Commons Office of the Leader of the House of Lords
Non-ministerial department	UK Statistics Authority
Executive agencies	Crown Commercial Service Government Property Agency
Non-departmental public bodies	Civil Service Commission Equality and Human Rights Commission Advisory Committee on Business Appointments Boundary Commission for England Boundary Commission for Wales Committee on Standards in Public Life House of Lords Appointments Commission Security Vetting Appeals Panel Senior Salaries Review Body
Other organisations	Commissioner for Public Appointments Government Car Service (Prime Ministerial Car) Government Equalities Office Government Estates Management Infrastructure and Projects Authority Office of the Parliamentary Counsel Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists Privy Council Office
Secretariats	Civil Contingencies Secretariat Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms Defence and Overseas Secretariat Economic and Domestic Affairs Secretariat
Category

v t e Department for Transport
Headquarters: Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London
Ministers	Secretary of State for Transport Minister of State for Transport 3 Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Non-ministerial department	Office of Rail and Road
Executive agencies	Active Travel England Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Maritime and Coastguard Agency Vehicle Certification Agency
Non-departmental public bodies	British Transport Police Authority (British Transport Police) Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee Northern Lighthouse Board Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain Transport Focus Trinity House Lighthouse Service
Public corporations	Civil Aviation Authority Crossrail International DfT OLR Holdings East West Rail Great British Railways High Speed 2 London and Continental Railways National Highways Network Rail
Other	Air Accidents Investigation Branch Bus Open Data Service Marine Accident Investigation Branch Rail Accident Investigation Branch
Former public bodies and organisations	Airports Commission Directly Operated Railways Driving Standards Agency Government Car Service (Prime Ministerial Car) Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
Category