LO 7

Question 1

FACT

Answer 1

Business’ try to influence politics, governments and international agencies to promote their commercial and market interests.

Question 2

What do pressure groups use to influence the government and politics?

Answer 2

• Public Relations
• Media Campaigns
• Mass media
• Marketing and advertising

Question 3

FACT

Answer 3

With virtually an unlimited access to money and other resources, corporation a can easily influence governments to promote economic social and business policies favouring them at the expense of consumers, citizens and families.

Question 4

What are the benefits of a business pressure groups?

Answer 4

• Able to raise public awareness of matters affecting their interests or cause

E.g. Environmental pressure groups have gained greater influence on all political parties as public has become concerned about global warming (car tax rates changed in favour of smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles)

• Some pressure groups have huge memberships which exceed those of the main political parties

E.g. National Trust represents more than 2 million members - able to raise awareness of issues of importance to large numbers of people

• Sound knowledge on their interests and causes in order to put their point across convincingly - therefore laws enacted as a result of pressure groups should benefit from a lot of expertise

E.g. Jamie Oliver is an expert on nutrition, able to advise on key foods that should and shouldn’t be available to children at school

• strength in numbers
• networking and sharing best practice
• cast of membership

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of a business pressure groups?

Answer 5

• They are quite biased in favour of their own interest. Campaigns by pressure groups may not present a balanced argument

E.g. Fathers 4 Justice may not understand that the courts and mothers are trying to achieve the best outcome for their kids

• Members are often very passionate, they may resort to undesirable tactics like violence or criminal behaviour to promote their cause

E.g. Animal activists have damaged scientific animal testing labs and threatened workers and their families, members of Countryside Alliance and Fathers 4 Justice have demonstrated in The House of Commons

• Opinions held by pressure groups may only help a small minority of the population

Question 6

How is the NLW calculated?

Answer 6

Calculated in accordance with the basic cost of living in the UK

Question 7

FACT

Answer 7

The government has instructed the low pay commission that the minimum wage premium for staff over 25 should reach 60% of median earning by 2020