Chapter 6 - The UK government, the law and your role Flashcards
Parliamentary Democracy
The UK is a Parliamentary Democracy, with the monarch as the head of state
The Development of British Democracy
Democracy
Democracy is a system of government where the adult population gets a say, either by direct voting or by choosing representatives.
The Development of British Democracy
19th Century
At the turn of the 19th century, Britain was not the a democracy as we know it today.
There were elections to select the MPs, only a small group of people could vote. Only men over 21, who owned a certain amount of property.
The franchise (which is the number of people who had the right to vote) grew over the course of the 19th century, and political parties started to involve ordinary men and women as members.
The Development of British Democracy
Chartists - 1830s and 1840s
The Chartists campaigned for reform.
They wanted 6 changes@
- every men to have a vote
- elections every year
- all religions to be equal in the electoral system
- secret ballots
- any man to stand as a MP
- MPs to be paid
At the time they didn’t achieve much and it looked like a failure, but by 1918 most of these reforms had been adopted.
The voting franchise was also extended to women over 30, and in 1928 to men and women over 21.
In 1969, the voting age was reduced to 18 for men and women.
This is a set of principles by which a country is governed.
Includes all the institutions that are responsible for running the country and how their power is kept in check.
It includes laws and conventions.
The British Constitution “unwritten”
It isn’t written down in any single document, and that is why it is “unwritten”.
This is mainly because, unlike the USA and France, the UK never had a revolution, qhich led to a totally new system of government.
Constitutional Institutions
- the monarchy
- Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords)
- the Prime Minister
- the cabinet
- the judiciary (courts)
- the police
- the civil service
- local government
There are also devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, that have the power to legislate on certain issues.
Constitutional Institutions
The Monarchy
In addition to being the head of state of the UK, Queen Elisabeth II, is also the monarch or head of state in many countries in the Commonwealth.
The UK has a constitutional monarchy, this means the monarch doesn’t rule the country, but they appoint the government, which the people have chosen in a democratic election.
The monarch invites the leader of the party with the largest number of MPs, or the leader of the coalition, to become Prime Minister. Then they have regular meetings, and the monarch can advise, encourage. but the decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and the cabinet.
Constitutional Institutions
The Monarchy - Queen Elisabeth II
Reigning since her father’s death in 1952, and in 2012 celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years as Queen).
She was married to Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Her eldest son, Prince Charles (The Prince of Wales) is the heir of the throne.
Constitutional Institutions
The Monarchy - The Queen’s roles
- Opening the new Parliamentary Session each year (where she makes a speech summarising the government’s policies for the year ahead.
- All Acts of Parliament are made in her name
- Represents the UK to the rest of the world
- Receives foreign ambassadors and high commissioners
- Entertains visiting heads of state
- Makes state visits overseas to support diplomatic and economic relationships with other countries
Furthermore she has an important role in providing stability and continuity, as Prime Ministers change, but she remains as head of state.
She also provides focus for national identity and pride, which were shown in the Jubilee celebrations
The National Anthem
‘God save the Queen’
'God save our gracious Queen! Long live our noble Queen! God save the Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the Queen!'
Oath of allegiance
‘I, Anita, swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.’
Affirmation of Allegiance
‘I, Anita, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British Citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.’
System of Government
Parliamentary democracy, and it is divided in parliamentary constituencies.
Voters in each constituency elect their MPs in a General Election.
All of the elected MPs for the House of Commons; and most of them will belong to a political party. The party with the most MPs forms the government.
If one of the parties doesn’t get a majority, 2 parties can form a coalition,
The House of Commons
The most important of the 2 chambers, because its members are democratically elected,
The PM and most members of the cabinet are members of the House of Commons. (MPs).
Each represents a parliamentary constituency.
Member of Parliament responsibilities
- represent everyone in their constituency
- help create new laws
- scrutinise and comment pm what the government is doing
- debate important national issues
House of Lords
The members are known as Peers, and they are not elected nor represent a constituency.
The role of the House of Lords changed over the last 50 years.
House of Lords - Peers until 1958
Peers were:
- hereditary
- senior judges
- bishops of the Church of England
Since 1958, the Prime Minister has the power to nominate peers just for their own lifetime: Life Peers
House of Lords - Peers
They usually had an important career in politics, business, law or another profession.
Life Peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
They also include people nominated by the leaders of the other main political parties or by independent Appointments Commission for non-party peers.
House of Lords - Peers since 1999
Hereditary peers lost the right to automatically attend the House of Lords.
They now elect a few of their number to represent them in the House of Lords.
House of Lords
The House of Lords is normally more independent of the government than the House of Commons.
It can suggest amendments or propose new laws.
It checks laws that have been passed by the House of Commons to ensure they are fit for purpose.
IT holds the government to account to make sure it is working in the best interest if people.
Some peers are specialist in particular areas, so they can make and check laws.
The House of Commons has powers to overrule the House of Lords, but these aren’t used often.
The Speaker
Chairs debates in the House of Commons, and is the chief officer of the House of Commons
they are neutral and don’t represent any political party, even though they are an MP, represent a constituency and deal with constituents’ problems like any other MP.
The Speaker is chosen by the other MPs in a secret ballot.
They keep the order in political debates to ensure the rules are followed. They guarantee the opposition have a guaranteed amount of time to debate issues they choose.
They also represent Parliament in ceremonial occasions.
Elections
UK Elections
MPs are elected at the General Election, which is held at least every 5 years,
If an MP dies or resigns, there will be a fresh election, called a by-election, in their constituency.
Elections
UK Elections - First past the post
System by which MPs are elected in each constituency. The candidate who gets the most votes is elected,
The government is formed by the party that wins the majority of constituencies. If no party wins a majority, 2 parties may join together and form a coalition.
Contacting elected Members
Elected members have a duty to serve and represent their constituents.
People can get the contact for all representatives and their parties from the local library and from www.parliament.uk
MPs, Assembly members and members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are also listed in the Phone Book published by BT.
Contacting elected Members
MPs can be contacted by letter or telephone at their constituency office in the House of Commons.
The House of Commons, Westminster,
London SW1A 0AA
Telephone 02071293000
Many MPs MSPs hold regular ‘surgeries’ where constituents can go in person to talk about issues that concern them. These are often advertised in the newspaper.
The Government
The Prime Minister
Leader of the political party in power.
They appoint the members of the cabinet and control many public appointments
Official home is 10 Downing Street, in central London, near the Houses of Parliament.
they also own a country house outside London called Chequers.
They can be changed if the MPs in the governing party decide to do so, or if they wish to resign. They will usually resign if their political party loses the General Election.
The Government
The Cabinet
The PM appoints 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments:
- chancellor of the Exchequer - responsible for the Economy
- Home Secretary - responsible for crime, policing and immigration
- Foreign Secretary - responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries
- other ministers (‘Secretaries of State’) - responsible for subjects such as Education, Health and Defence.
The cabinet meets weekly to make important decisions about the government policy. Many of this decisions need to be debated and approved in Parliament.
Each department has a number of ministers, called Ministers of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State, who take charge of particular areas of the department’s work.
The Opposition
It’s the second largest party in the House of Commons. The leader of the opposition will generally become the Prime Minister, if their party win the next General Election.
The leader will point out the government’s weaknesses and failures, and they can do this at the Prime Minister’s Questions. which takes place every week while Parliament is sitting.
The leader also appoints senior opposition MPs to be ‘shadow ministers’ who form the shadow cabinet and their role is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.
The Party System
Standing for MP
Anyone over 18 can stand for election, but they are only likely to win unless they have been nominated to represent one of the major political parties.
Conservative Party
Labour Party
Liberal Democrats
or one of the parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests
Those who don’t represent any party are called ‘independents’ and usually represent an issue that is important for their constituency.
The Party System
The main parties look for members of the public to join their debates, contribute to their costs, and help at elections for Parliament or for local governments.
Most constituencies have branches and hold policy-making conferences every year,
The Party system - pressure and lobby groups
These are organisations which try to influence government policy.
Some represent organisations:
CBI (Confederation of British Industry), which represents the views of British business.
Greenpeace, which represent environment issues
Liberty, which represents human rights.
The Civil Service
Civil Servants develop and implement government policies, and they are accountable to ministers.
They are chosen on merit and politically neutral.
People can apply by filling in an application process, like any other job.
They are expected to carry out their role with dedication and representing the civil service core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality (all being politically neutral).
Local Government
Towns, cities and rural areas are governed by councils, they are ‘local authority’.
Some areas have district and county councils, which different functions.
Most large towns and cities have a single local authority,
Local Authorities
Provide a range of different services in their area. They are funded by money from central government and by local taxes.
Many appoint a mayor.
In some towns the mayor is elected to be the effective leader of the administration.
London has 33 local authorities, with the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London coordinating policies across the capital.
Local elections are usually help in May, and many candidates stand for council election as members of a political party.
Devolved Administrations
Since 1997, some powers have been devolved from the central government to five people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland more control on matters that affect them directly.
Since 1999, there has been a Welsh and a Scottish Assembly.
There is also a Northern Ireland Assembly, though it has been suspended on a few occasions.
Devolved Administrations - Central UK government control
Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security.
Devolved Administrations own powers
Education and other public services.
They each have their own civil service.
The UK government has the power to suspend all devolved assemblies. This power has been used several times in Northern Ireland, when local political authorities weren’t able to work together
Devolved Administrations of the UK
The Welsh Assembly
Formed in 1999 in Cardiff
60 Assembly Members
Elections every 4 years
Powers: since 2011 they can make law in: educating and training; health and social services; economic development; housing
The Welsh government and the National Assembly for Wales are based in Cardiff.
Members of the Assembly can speak either Welsh or English and the Assembly’s publications are in both languages.
Devolved Administrations of the UK
The Scottish Parliament
Formed in 1999 in Edinburgh
120 Members of Scottish Parliament
Elections are held using a form of proportional representation
Powers: civil and criminal law, health, education, planning, additional tax-raising powers
Devolved Administrations of the UK
The Northern Ireland Parliament
First established in 1922, then abolished in 1972, after the Troubles started in 1969.
Devolved Administrations of the UK
The Northern Ireland Assembly
Established after the Belfast agreement in 1988.
108 Members (MLAs) Members of Legislative Assembly
Elections are held using a form of proportional representation. Ministerial offices shared between main parties.
Powers: education, agriculture, the environment, health, social services
It has been suspended several times.
The Media and Government
Parliament proceedings are broadcast on tv and published in official reports called Hansard.
They can be found in libraries and at www.parliament.co.uk
Most political issues can be found in the press: newspapers, television, radio and internet.
The Media and Government
The Press
The UK has a free press, that is, what is written in the newspapers is free from the government’s control. Some newspaper owner’s have strong political opinions and run campaigns to influence the government policy and public opinion.
By law, radio and television coverage of political parties must be equal, so that the same time is given to rival viewpoints.
Who can vote?
The present voting age of 18 was set in 1928, all UK born and naturalised adult citizens have the right to vote.
Citizens of the UK, Citizens of the Commonwealth, Citizens of Ireland who are resident in the UK can vote in all public elections.
The Electoral Register
To be able to vote in a parliamentary or local election, your name must be in the electoral register.
You can register by contacting the local council electoral registration office. Usually in the local council, though in Scotland it is based elsewhere.
If you don’t know check www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and entering your postcode.
You can also download voter registration forms in English, Welsh and some other languages.
It is updated every year in September or October. One is sent to every household to be completed and returned wit the names of everyone in the household that is eligible to vote.
The Electoral Register - Northern Ireland
The do an ‘individual registration’ and all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form.
People will stay in their register until their personal details change.
Info at: www.eoni.org.uk
The Electoral Register UK
Each local authority has to make its electoral register available for anyone to look at, although this has to be supervised.
It is kept at each local electoral registration office for council office in England or Wales.
Some public buildings can also provide the register, such as libraries.
Where to vote: polling station
Polling stations in England, and polling places in Scotland.
Before the elections people are sent a poll card, which tells you where your polling station is and when the election will take place.
the polling station will be open from 7am to 10pm.
What you need to vote
At the polling station you will be asked for your name and address.
In Northern Ireland you also need to show photographic identification..
You are then given a ballot paper, which you take a private polling booth. You then make your own mind and vote.
Then follow the instruction in the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box.
Postal ballot
If it’s too difficult to get to you’re assigned, you can register for a postal ballot.
The ballot paper will be sent to your address before the election. You fill it in, post it back.
You can choose to do this when you register to vote.
Standing for Office
Most UK, Ireland or Commonwealth citizens over 18 can stand for public office, exceptions:
- members of the armed forces
- civil servants
- people found guilty of certain criminal offences.
Members of the House of Lords may not stand for election to the House of Commons, but are eligible for other public offices.
Visiting Parliament and The Devolved Administrations
The UK Parliament
the public can listen to debates in the Palace of Westminster from public galleries in both the House of commons and the House of Lords.
You can write to local MP to ask for tickets or queue on the day at the public entrance, which is free.
Sometimes there are long queues for the House of Commons, about 2 hours wait. It’s usually easier to get into the House of Lords.
Further information at www.parliament.uk
Visiting Parliament and The Devolved Administrations
Northern Ireland Assembly
MLAs meet in the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, in Belfast.
To visit you can contact the the Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service, hrrp://education.niassembly.gov.uk/visit
go to the Assembly website http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/visit-and-learning) or contact an MLA.
Visiting Parliament and The Devolved Administrations
Scottish Parliament
MSP meet in the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh, for more information www.scottish.parliament.uk
You can book tickets or arrange tours through the visitor services.
You can write to the Scottish Parliament,
Edinburgh, EH99 1SP, telephone 01313485200 or email visit@parliament.scot
Visiting Parliament and The Devolved Administrations
National Assembly of Wales
AMs meet in the Welsh Assembly at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, for more info www.assembly.wales
You can book guided tours or seats in the public galleries for the Welsh Assembly.
email: contact@assembly.wasles
www. assembly.wales where you can get a booking form
The UK and international institutions
The Commonwealth
It is an association of countries that support each other and work together towards achieving shared goals in democracy and development.
Most are part of the British Empire, though a few aren’t.
The Queen is the ceremonial leader, and there are 54 member states.
The membership is voluntary. The Commonwealth has no power over its members, but it can suspend membership.
Its core values are if democracy, good government and the rule of law.
Commonwealth Members
Antigua and Barbuda Australia The Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belize Botswana Brunei Darussalam Cameroon Canada Cyprus Dominica Fiji The Gambia Ghana Grenada Guyana India Jamaica Kenya Kiribati Lesotho Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Nauru New Zealand Nigeria Pakistan Papua New Guinea Rwanda Samoa Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa Sri Lanka St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Vincent and the Grenadines Swaziland Tanzania Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tuvalu Uganda UK Vanuatu Zambia
The Council of Europe
Has 47 member countries, including the UK, and it’s responsible for protection and promotion of human rights in those countries.
It has no power to make laws but draws up conventions and charters, name the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, usually called the European Convention of Human Rights.
The United Nations
An international organisation with more than 190 countries as members, the UK is part of it.
It was set up after the Second World War and aims to prevent war and promote international peace and security.
There are 15 members of the UN Security Council, which recommends action when there is a crisis that threatens peace.
The UK is one of the 5 permanent members of the Security Council.
the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
The UK is a member.
It is a group of European and North American countries that have agreed to help each other if they come under attack. The aim is also to maintain peace in its members.
Respecting the Law
You should make sure you are aware of the laws which affect your everyday life, including both personal and business affairs.
The Law in the UK
Every person receives the same treatment under the law.
The law is divided in criminal and civil law.
The Law in the UK
Examples of criminal law
- carrying a weapon
- selling or buying drugs
- racial crime (harass, alarm or distress due to religion or ethnic origin)
- selling tobacco to anyone under 18
- smoking in public places (enclosed public place); there are signs displayed
- selling alcohol to anyone under 18 (people aged 16 or over can drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant)
- drinking in public; some places are alcohol free zones, the police can confiscate or move people. You can be fined or arrested
The Law in the UK
Examples of Civil Law
- Housing law: landlord disputes with tenants, such as repairs or eviction
- Consumer rights: faulty goods or services
- Employment law: disputes over wages and cases of unfair dismissal or discrimination i the workplace
- Debt: people may be taken to court
The Police in their duties
- protect life and property
- prevent disturbances
- prevent and detect crime
They are organised into a number of separate police forces headed by Chief Constables. they are independent of the government.
Electing Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales
In 2012, they were elected for the first time.
They are directly elected individuals who are responsible for the delivery an efficient and effective police force that reflects the need of their community.
PCC set local police priorities and a local policing budget. They also appoint the local Chief Constable.
The police force as a public service
They aim to help and protect everyone, regardless of background or where they live.
Police officers must themselves obey the law.
They can’t misuse their authority, make a false statement, be rude or abusive, or commit racial discrimination.
There is severe punishment for those who are corrupt or misuse their authority.
Police Community Support Officers (PCSO)
Support police officers.
They have different roles, but usually patrol the streets, work with public, and support officers at crime scenes and major events.
The public and the police
People in the UK are expected to help the police prevent and detect crimes whenever they can.
If you arrested and taken to the police station, a police officers will tell you the reason for your arrest and will be able to seek for legal advice.
Complaints about the police
If something goes wrong, the police complaints department will try to sort it out.
Anyone can make a complaint about the police by going to a police station or writing to the Chief Constable of the police force involved.
Also at www.policeconduct.gov.uk
In Scotland you can contact the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner at https://pirc.scot
In Northern Ireland you contact the Police Ombudsman’s Office www.policeombudsman.org
Terrorism and extremism
Al Qa’ida and its affiliates is the most serious terrorist threat to the UK.
The UK also faces threats from Northern Ireland related terrorism.
If you think someone is trying to persuade to join an extremist or terrorist cause, you should notify your local police force.
The role of the courts
The Judiciary
Judges form the judiciary and they are responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring trials are conducted fairly. The government cannot interfere, as sometimes their actions may be illegal, and if the judges agree they are, their policies must be changed or ask Parliament to change the law.
If judges consider a public body is not respecting someone’s legal rights, they can order that body to change its practices and/or pay compensation.
They also solve disputes between members of the public: contracts, property, employment rights or after an accident.
Criminal Courts
Magistrates’ and Justice of the Peace Courts
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with the Magistrates’ Court.
In Scotland it is the Justice of Peace Court.
Magistrates and Justices of Peace are members of the community. In all of the UK, except Northern Ireland, they are not paid and do not need legal qualification. But they do have training and are supported by a legal adviser.
They decide the verdict, if person found guilty, also the sentence.
In Northern Ireland the cases are heard by a District Judge or Deputy District Judge, who is legally qualified and paid.
Criminal Courts
Crown Courts and Sheriff Courts
Serious offences are tried in front of a judge and a jury in a Crown Court.
In Scotland, they are heard in a Sheriff’s Court with either a sheriff or a sheriff with a jury.
The more serious cases in Scotland, like murder, are heard in a High Court with a judge and a jury.
Criminal Courts
Jury
Members of the jury are public members randomly chosen from the electoral register.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a jury has 12 members.
In Scotland, it has 15 members,
Everyone who is summoned to do jury service must do it unless they aren’t eligible (i.e. criminal conviction), or provide a good reason to be excluded (i.e. ill health).
They decide the verdict, which is ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’.
In Scotland there is a 3rd verdict, ‘not proven’.
If guilty, the judge decides on the penalty.
Criminal Courts
Youth Courts
If a person is aged 10 to 17 the case is heard in a Youth Court in front of up to 3 specially trained magistrates or a District Judge.
The most serious cases will to the Crown Court.
Parents or carers of the person need to attend the hearing,
Members of the public are not allowed in Youth Courts, and the name or photo of the young person cannot be published on the newspapers or social media.
In Scotland, there is a system called the Children’s Hearings System which deals with children and young people who have committed and offence.
Northern Ireland has a system of youth conferencing to consider how a child should be dealt with when they have committed and offence.
Criminal Courts
High Court
- serious cases, such as murder, in Scotland
Crown Court and Sheriff Court (Scotland)
- serious offenses
Magistrates’ Court and Justice of the Peace Court (Scotland)
- most minor cases
Youth Courts
- young people and children’s offences
Civil Courts
County Courts
Deal with a range of civil disputes: debt, personal injury, family matters, breaches in contract and divorce.
In Scotland, most of these cases are dealt by the Sheriff’s Court.
If higher compensations are claimed, it will be dealt by the High Court. In Scotland, it will be the Court of Session in Edinburgh,
The small claims procedure
Informal way of helping people to settle minor disputes without spending a lot of time and money using a lawyer,
Used for claims that are under £10,000, and £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It is held in front of a judge in a regular room with both parties.
They can be issued online through Money Claims Online (www.moneyclaim,gov.uk)
Details about the small claims procedure can be found at:
- England and Wales: www.gov.uk
- Scotland: www.scotcourts.gov.uk
- Northern Ireland: www.courtsni.gov.uk
Legal Advice
Solicitors
Trained lawyers who give advice on legal matters, take action and represent their clients in court.
They will be specialised in areas, which helps looking for someone to look for a specific case.
Citizens Advice can give you names of solicitors and which areas of the law they specialise.
You can also get info at Law Society and the Law Society of Scotland and the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
Solicitor’s charges are based on the time they spend on a case.
Fundamental Principles
Britain’s history of individual rights and essential freedoms have their roots in the Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus and the Bill of Rights of 1689, and have developed over a period of time.
British lawyers and diplomats played an important role in drafting the European Convention of Huma Rights and fundamental Freedoms.
The UK was one of the first countries to sign the Convention in 1950.
Principles included in the European Convention of Human Rights
- right to life
- prohibition of torture
- prohibition of slavery and forced labour
- right to liberty and security
- right to fair trial
- freedom of thought, conscience and religion
- freedom of expression (speech)
Human Rights Act 1998
It incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
Government, public bodies and courts must follow the principles of the Convention.
Equal Opportunities
People must not be treated unfairly in any area of life or work because of age, disability, sex, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion, belief, sexuality or marital status.
Organizations that can help in case of discrimination
- Citizens Advice
- Equality and Human Rights Commission, in England and Wales
- Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland
- Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Domestic Violence
This is a crime and the perpetrator can be prosecuted.
If a man (even husband) forces a woman to have sex, he can be charged with rape.
Victims of domestic violence need help as soon as possible:
- Citizens Advice
- 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline (which allows people to leave a voicemail message and be called back) or visiting the website;
- Women’s Aid Website
In an emergency you should always call the police.
Female Genital Mutilation
Cutting or female circumcision is illegal in the UK.
Practising it or taking a woman/girl abroad for it to be performed is a crime.
Forced Marriage
Marriage should only be entered with the full free consent of both people involved.
Arranged marriages, where both parties agree, are acceptable in the UK.
Forcing one of the parties to their consent is a criminal offence.
2008 there were Forced Marriage Protection Orders introduced under the Forced Marriage Act 2007.
Court orders can be obtained to protect someone from being forced into a marriage.
Similar Protection Orders were introduced in Scotland in November 2011.
A potential victim can apply for a court order. Anyone found breaching an order can be jailed for up to 2 years for contempt of court.
Taxation
Income Tax
People pay on their income:
- wages from their employment
- profits from self-employment
- taxable benefits
- pensions
- income from property, savings and dividends
Income Tax money pays for roads, education, police and armed forces.
Taxation
Income Tax
PAYE and self-employment
Most people’s employers deduct the Income Tax from wages, and it’s paid directly to HMRC - PAYE (pay as you earn)
Self-employed people pay through a system called ‘self-assessment’, which includes completing a tax return.
The HMRC may send a tax return to other people too. If you receive one, you have to fill it and send it back within the required time frame.
Taxation
National Insurance
All employed people, including self-employed people, need to pay National Insurance contributions.
It is used for state benefits and services such as the state retirement pension and the NHS.
Employees have it paid by their employer, as a deduction from wages; and self-employed people need to pay it themselves.
Those who don’t pay, or don’t pay enough, won’t be eligible for certain benefits, such as job seeker’s allowance or a full state retirement pension. Some part-time workers may not qualify for statutory payments, such as maternity pay, if they don’t earn enough.
Taxation
Getting a National Insurance Number
It ensures the taxes you pay are properly recorded against your name. In the UK all people are send their NI number before their 16th birthday.
A non-UK national looking for work in the UK will need a National Insurance number, but they can start working without one.
You need to phone the National Insurance phone line, then you will get a letter from the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) asking you to come to an interview at the Job Centre. It will tell what documents you need to bring to the interview to prove your identity.
Driving
You must be at least 17 to drive a car or motor cycle and you must have a driver’s license to go on the public roads.
You need to be at least 16 years old to drive a moped.
And there are other ages required and special tests to drive large vehicles.
Driving license can be used until you are 70 years old. After that it is valid for 3 years at the time.
In Northern Ireland you must have an ‘R’ plate (restricted driver) for 1 year after passing your test.
If you have a non GB licence you can drive for 1 year with it, and then you must change it for a GB one.
DVLA registered
Your vehicle needs to be registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
You must pay an annual vehicle tax, which cannot be passed when the vehicle changes hands.
To be expect, due to the car not being on the road, you must tell the DVLA and make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), which can’t be transferred when it changes hands either.
Car Insurance
You must have a motor insurance, as it is a criminal offence to drive without insurance.
MOT
If the car is over 3 years old, you must take to a Ministry of Transport (MOT) test every year.
It is an offence not to have an MOT certificate if your vehicle is older than 3 years old,
Your role in the community
Values and responsibilities
- to obey and respect the law
- to be aware of the rights of others and respect them
- to treat others with fairness
- to behave responsibly
- to help and protect your family
- to respect and preserve the environment
- to treat everyone equally regardless of sex, race, religion, age, disability, class or sexual orientation
- to work to provide for yourself and your family
- to help others
- to vote in local and national government elections
Being a good neighbour
Introduce yourself to your neighbours to get involved in the community and make friends.
Limit how much noise you make, keep your garden tidy, only put the bins out if they are about to be collected.
Getting involved in local activities
Volunteering and helping your community.
How you can support your community
Jury service - anyone between 18 and 70 years old can be picked from the electoral register.
Helping in schools - supporting activities, listening to children read, events to raise money for the school
School governors and school boards
School governors, or members of the school board in Scotland, are people from the local community who want to contribute to children’s education. They must be 18 or over at the election or appointment date. There is no upper age limit.
Their key roles are:
- setting the strategic direction of the school
- ensuring accountability
- monitoring and evaluating school performance
To apply to be a governor you can contact a local school, or apply online.
In England, parents and other community groups can apply to open a free school
Supporting political parties
Political parties welcome members who support their views.
Members may help with ‘canvassing’, which is handing leaflets and knocking on people’s doors asking for their support,
British citizens can stand for office as local councillors, member of Parliament (or devolved equivalent)
You can also stand for office if you are an Irish citizen or a Commonwealth citizen.
Helping with local services
Hospitals, youth projects, services to involve local people and how they work.
Universities, housing associations, museums.
You can become a special constable by volunteering with the police. or a lay (non-police) representative.
You can apply to become a magistrate.
Helping with local services
Hospitals, youth projects, services to involve local people and how they work.
Universities, housing associations, museums.
You can become a special constable by volunteering with the police. or a lay (non-police) representative.
You can apply to become a magistrate.
Blood and organ donation
You can register to be an organ donor.
Living people can also donate a kidney.
Other ways to volunteer
- working with animals (rescue shelter)
- youth work
- helping improve the environment
- working with the homeless
- mentoring (someone who has just come out of prison)
- work in health and hospitals
- helping older people
