This is a list of 1978 British incumbents.
Government
- Monarch
- Head of State – Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom (1952–2022)
- Prime Minister
- Head of Government – James Callaghan, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1976–1979)
- First Lord of the Treasury
- James Callaghan, First Lord of the Treasury (1976–1979)
- Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Denis Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1974–1979)
- Second Lord of the Treasury
- Denis Healey, Second Lord of the Treasury (1974–1979)
- Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
- Secretary of State for the Home Department
- Merlyn Rees, Secretary of State for the Home Department (1976–1979)
- Secretary of State for Transport
- Bill Rodgers, Secretary of State for Transport (1976–1979)
- Secretary of State for Scotland
- Bruce Millan, Secretary of State for Scotland (1976–1979)
- Secretary of State for Social Services
- David Ennals, Secretary of State for Social Services (1976–1979)
- Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
- Roy Mason, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1976–1979)
- Secretary of State for Defence
- Frederick Mulley, Secretary of State for Defence (1976–1979)
- Secretary of State for Industry
- Eric Varley, Secretary of State for Industry (1975–1979)
- Secretary of State for Trade
- Edmund Dell, Secretary of State for Trade (1976–1978)
- John Smith, Secretary of State for Trade (1978–1979)
- Secretary of State for Education and Science
- Secretary of State for Wales
- John Morris, Secretary of State for Wales (1974–1979)
- Lord Privy Seal
- Fred Peart, Baron Peart, Lord Privy Seal (1976–1979)
- Leader of the House of Commons
- Michael Foot, Leader of the House of Commons (1976–1979)
- Lord President of the Council
- Michael Foot, Lord President of the Council (1976–1979)
- Lord Chancellor
- Elwyn Jones, Baron Elwyn-Jones, Lord Chancellor (1974–1979)
- Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
- Harold Lever, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1974–1979)
Religion
- Archbishop of Canterbury
- Donald Coggan, Archbishop of Canterbury (1974–1980)
- Archbishop of York
- Stuart Blanch, Archbishop of York (1975–1983)
| British incumbents by year | |
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