British Political System
National, Devolved and Local Government
The Legal System
The Economy, Money and Finance
The British Constitution
Types of Constitution
Democracy
Dictatorship
Republic
Constitutional Monarchy
Communist state
State governed by a single party under Communism
A president is elected rather than a monarch
The population votes for representatives
One unelected individual has ultimate power
King/Queen rules but power is shared and limited by the elected government
Codified/Uncodified
Codified constitution is written in a single document (E.G, the U.S.A)
Uncodified constitution is based on a variety of customs, statutes, judicial decisions and agreements. It is not written in a single document. (E.G, The U.K)
Constitutional Systems in Britain
Monarch
House of commons
Cabinet
Opposition
Public
Vote for representatives in government democratically
20 ministers who are responsible for and run a different ministry/department, like defence, health or education
Mainly ceremonial in our case, meets with the current P.M at least once a week and formally agrees laws passed in parliament
Vote on new laws and challenges internal governmental work. Consists of 650 M.Ps who are voted for and representative of different constituencies around the country
The party with the most seats that are not in power currently, and scrutinise the party in power, as well as general governmental work
The differences between a growing and a recessive economy
A growing economy
Buisness expanding
Low levels of unemployment
Easy loans
More jobs being created
More tax collected
Expansion of public services
Repayment of government debt
High value items purchased
A recessive economy
Banks failing
Government borrowing/printing money
Unemployment rising
Government cuts
People losing jobs
Business activity declines
Less tax collected
Increased saving
Inflation Strategies
Inflation is below 2%
Bank of England lowers interest rates on loans, mortgages, etc...
People repay less for borrowing due to lower interest rates, and saving becomes less popular again due to lower interest rates meaning that people get less back from a savings account, and therefore have extra money to spend
The spend this extra money, moving more money into circulation and the economy, increasing inflation
Inflation is above 2%
Bank of England raises interest rates on loans, mortgages, etc...
People repay more when borrowing due to higher interest rates, and therefore are discouraged from borrowing and save more in savings accounts, again due to the interest rates being heightened and therefore making saving more valuable
This helps to take money out of circulation and the economy, therefore lowering inflation
Tax Statistics
Income tax
National insurance
Value added tax (VAT)
Excise duty
Corporation tax
Business rates
Council tax
Other government income
Paid by people who have jobs
Direct taxation
17% of government revenue
Tax paid by those with a steady income
Direct taxation
25% of government revenue
Tax paid on fuel, tobacco and alcohol
Indirect taxation
8% of government revenue
Vehicle excise duty, tax on home purchase, inheritance tax and income from government activity, loans and investments
18% of government revenue
Businesses pay this on the value of their premises
Indirect taxation
4% of government revenue
Tax added to goods bought by a customer
Indirect taxation
17% of government revenue
Residents pay this on the value of their homes
Indirect taxation
4% of government revenue
Businesses pay this on their profits
Indirect taxation
6% of government revenue
State provision or Private provision
State provision is a form of nationalisation that means that government run public services themselves. Benefits of this include a universal standard of service and pay as it would be run by a single body.
Private provision is a form of privatisation and involves the government selling contracts to private companies (for example, Stagecoach or Whippet) to run public services instead of the government. Benefits of this include a higher standard of service as it is run by several providers, and therefore efforts can be focused uniquely on optimising that service, and people can choose a provider based on their financial needs, so some service providers may be more affordable than others
Benefits: Can limit the overall power of an individual in power due to increased scrutiny and increased flexibility
Problems: Can result in tension and conflict due to overlap
Governmental Scrutiny by Parliament
Select Committees
Debates
PMQs
Work on individual aspects of society controlled by government, scrutinising decisions made on said aspects (e.g. Education, Healthcare, Transport, etc...
Open discussions in government on recent and current issues, policies and legislation to keep a democratic aspect on decisions made by the executive
Take place every Wednesday from 12.00 - 12.30 after preliminary proceedings or private business. Different governmental departments ask questions relating to their respective fields
Important events in Parliamentary Calender
State Opening of Parliament
Monarch's Speech
The Budget
Monarch travels to Westminster and Black Rod knocks three times. M.Ps then follow to hear the Monarch's speech
Monarch delivers an agenda for the upcoming year to Parliament, then M.Ps leave to discuss this and reply to the Monarch on their speech. Monarch's speech is written and proofread by government
The Chancellor of the Exchequer gives a speech on the current financial situation of the country, and the fiscal year ahead in their agenda. Government then replies and debates.
Roles in Parliament
Black Rod
Frontbench MPs
Commons Speaker
Official Opposition
Party Whips
Mainly ceremonial
Keeps order in the commons
'Encourages' MPs to vote in the best interests of their respective party
Ministers
Second largest party in the house, have Shadow Ministers
Rights and Responsibilities
The Police
Rights
Enter premises to preserve life or deal with crime and seize property when appropriate
Stop anyone in a public place and ask about their actions
Detain someone for up to 24 hours without a charge
Arrest someone who is committing or is about to commit a criminal offence
CONTROVERSIAL POINT: Stop and search anyone suspected of a crime
Charge someone with a crime given sufficient evidence
Responsibilities
Obey and uphold the law
Be polite and respectful
Act as witnesses in court
Record offences brought to them
Avoid discrimination
Only use reasonable force as a last resort
Inform a suspect of their rights when arrested
Follow the code of practrice
Citizens
Rights
To be advised about rights before interview, to inform someone of your situation, and to have breaks and food during the process
To be given reason as to their arrest, and to not be interviewed until at a station
To not be held in custody for more than 24 hours without charge, and to recieve a custody record on release
To remain silent or refrain from answering questions
To read and check any statements
To be searched privately if clothing needs to be removed
To have an appropriate adult if under 18 or with learning difficulties
Responsibilities
Obey the law
Not to obstruct the police
Not to destroy evidence
To cooperate with legal advisors
Devolved Governments and their Respective Powers
Wales (The Senedd)
Scotland (Holyrood)
Northern Ireland (Stormont)
1998: Devolved Fire Service
2011: Legislation over Devolved Areas
2014: Powers over Devolved Tax
2018: Devolved Stamp Duty (Tax Paid by those Buying Properties)
1998: Devolved Powers over Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
2012: Devolved Powers over Tax and Alcohol Consumption
2016: Take One Half of all VAT income
1998: Devolved Power over Agriculture
2017: Devolved Power over Corporation Tax
2011: Devolved Air Passenger Duty
Local Government
Roles
Structure
Infrastructure
Libraries
Emergency Services
Roads
Social Housing
Adoption
Litter
Green Spaces
Mayor
Councillors
Wards
Local Authority
Neighbourhoods represented by a Councillor
Directly elected. Runs Local Authority with Councillors
Run Local Authorities. Elected by local residents
Councils. Make decisions on local area and services. Run by Councillors and Mayor