This assignment earned me the highest grade. I finished this course with obtaining a Distinction overall in both the first and second year of the course. This document covers (P1, P2, M1 and D1)
Unit 1 Government, Policies And The Public Services
Assignment 1
In the UK there are many different levels of government with their own rules and responsibilities.
European Parliament:
The European parliament is based in Strasbourg (France)
Within this parliament there are 736 members who represent 27 members of state of the EU. 72 of
these members represent the UK and are there to represent the interests of our country. The role of
the parliament is to create legislation that has an impact across all of the EU states and covers areas
such as, the environment, transport, consumer rights and trade.
Central Government:
Based in Westminster the Central Government is the area of government that operates the whole
country. It has the power to do things that no other area of government can do for example, signing
treaties, making laws and defending the nation.
It contains the major central political institutions of the UK: the House of
Commons and the House of Lords and are ruled by the monarch (the queen)
Monarch: In the UK it is ruled by a monarch (The Queen) her role is to undertake various official,
ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties, bestowing honours, appointing and guiding the
Prime Minister and giving the final approval of laws.
House Of Commons:
The House Of Commons consists of 646 elected members of parliament (MPs) who represent a
broad spectrum of political parties. Each of the MPs represent a different area of the country.
The House Of commons often have meetings together where they discuss political views and ensure
that legislation and decisions are well debated.
Some of the duties of the House Of Commons include:
Making Laws
Controlling Finance - The House of Commons controls the raising of finances through taxation and
the selling of government assets. It must also give its approval to any plans the government
has to spend money.
Scrutiny – they can overlook the governments policies to ensure that all decisions have been looked
at by a variety of different individuals.
Examining European Proposals
House Of Lords:
House Of Lords consists of 737 members with around 600 of these members being ‘life peers’
which is members that have been appointed by the queen. Bishops and Archbishops representing
the church of England.
Some of the roles of the House Of Lords are the same as the Commons such as scrutiny and the
creation of laws.
But they also offer independent expertise, The Lords conduct a variety of investigations and
inquiries. They have a range of expertise, which can be used on government business.
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