Year 9 - Citizenship
What does the Civil Service do?
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 how the Civil Service is governed and describe its roles and responsibilities in government.
Key Notes
- The UK Government has three main branches: legislative, executive and judiciary.
- The Cabinet is chosen by the PM. It leads government departments and makes key decisions on government policies.
- The Civil Service advises ministers, implements government policies and provides services to the public.
- Ministers and civil servants both work within government departments, but their job roles and responsibilities differ.
- Civil servants are employed after a hiring process, whereas ministers are elected, then chosen for particular roles.
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)
- Civil Service: individuals who are employed by the Government to carry out the work of government departments; a politically neutral body
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The Civil Service is a political body.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The UK Government has three main branches: legislative, executive and judiciary. The Cabinet is chosen by the PM. It leads government departments and makes key decisions on government policies.
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: The Civil Service is a political body. Correction: The Civil Service is designed to be impartial, serving the Government of the day. Civil servants are expected to provide objective advice and implement policy without political bias. This allows for continuity even when political leadership changes.
More Lessons In This Unit
- How does the UK political system compare to other systems? Study Guide
- How is the country run? Study Guide
- What are direct and representative democracies? Study Guide
- What are the differences between local, regional and national governance? Study Guide
- What are the differences between the UK and US political systems? Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Citizenship guide library.