Year 9 - Citizenship
What are the differences between local, regional and national governance?
How is the UK governed?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils explore the difference between local, regional and national governance and compare the political systems in the UK and US.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain and compare some of the key differences between local, regional and national governance.
Key Notes
- The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy, where citizens vote for their representatives in Parliament.
- Central Government is led by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. They are elected ministers and make decisions on UK issues.
- Local governments are led by elected councillors. They have authority over decisions which affect citizens locally.
- Regional governments have devolved powers. Elected representatives make key regional decisions.
- Devolved powers are those which have been transferred from central Government to local or regional governments.
Vocabulary To Learn
- government: the group of people with the authority to govern a country; in the UK, the Government is chosen and led by the Prime Minister (PM)
- local government: a system of government that operates at a local level providing services to its community
- devolved: political powers which have been transferred from the central Government or Parliament to a national, regional or local government or Parliament
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Devolved governments can make laws and policies on any issue in their devolved region.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy, where citizens vote for their representatives in Parliament. Central Government is led by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. They are elected ministers and make decisions on UK issues.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'government'
the group of people with the authority to govern a country; in the UK, the Government is chosen and led by the Prime Minister (PM).
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Devolved governments can make laws and policies on any issue in their devolved region. Correction: The powers of devolved governments are limited to specific policy areas defined by devolution agreements. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have some executive and legislative powers. English regional governments only have some executive powers.
More Lessons In This Unit
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