Welfare, benefits and gov security

Question 1

Describe the department for work and pensions

Answer 1

-DWP is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy
-Sec of State- Therese Coffey
-UK’s biggest public service department
-Oversees 15 executive agencies, public bodies including-
 Jobcentre plus
 The Pension Service
 Child Support Agency

Question 2

What are contributory benefits?

Answer 2

• Usually replace earnings, available to people who have paid in National Insurance contributions
• Usually non-means-tested- Job Seekers Allowance

Question 3

What are non-contributory benefits?

Answer 3

• Not based on NI contributions
• Needs based
• For people who cannot work
• Usually means-tested

Question 4

What are means-tested benefits?

Answer 4

Eligibility determined by level of income- eg Universal Credit

Question 5

What are universal benefits?

Answer 5

Benefit applied to everyone with a certain group irrespective of income e.g State Pension

Question 6

What are planning applications?

Answer 6

• Most new buildings or changes of use in existing buildings needs planning permission
• Application needs enough detail for the authority to determine the impact on an area
• Local residents and interested parties should be consulted
• Decision is made within 8 weeks for householders but takes longer for commercial developers

Question 7

What can planning committees do?

Answer 7

 Approve plan as submitted
 Reject the plan
 Approve the plan subject to conditions

Question 8

Describe the Home Office

Answer 8

-The gov department with the ultimate responsibility for 
	Policing
	Counter terrorism
	Border policing and immigration
	Fire and rescue

-Headed by Sec of State for Home Affairs- Priti Patel
-Responsible for general policy and supplying some of the cash for policing and fire budgets
-Other responsibilities include-
 Issuing passports
 Shaping alcohol strategy and licensing conditions

Question 9

Describe the Ministry of Justice

Answer 9

-Gov department formed when the Home Office was reorganised
-Responsible for-
 Prisons
 Courts system
 Judicial appointments
 Sentencing policy
-Currently headed by Sec of State for Justice- Dominic Raab

Question 10

Who is responsible for policing in Merseyside?

Answer 10

• A directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)

- Emily Spurrell Merseyside PCC

Question 11

What are PCCs responsible for?

Answer 11

 Ensuring policing needs of the community are met effectively
 Overseeing how police and other organisations are tackling crime in Merseyside
 Crime and community safety issues throughout the region
 Ensuring local police force is properly funded and setting the policing budget
 Holding the chief constables to account
 Monitoring the criminal justice system in the region

Question 12

What are PCCs not responsible for?

Answer 12

 Day to day operations of the police
 Deploying police officers
 Investigating crimes
-That ultimately is the job of the Chief Constable

Question 13

Where does the money for the Merseyside PCC come from?

Answer 13

 Gov grant
 Specific grants eg Drugs intervention programme
 Council Tax precept