Paper 1

• Explain 2 principles or rights which support democracy in the UK.

  • There is a right to vote for each person. This guarantees representation.
  • democracy is supported by the acceptance of rule of base law. This means that rules binding on all are accepted.
• Suggest 2 examples of how community cohesion is promoted in UK society.

  • It is promoted by creating strong local partnerships which unite the community.
  • We promote British values, which endorse mutual respect.
• explain one reason why a government may need to temporarily restrict citizens freedom of speech.

  • Freedom of speech is limited during war times. This is done to protect the security of the state.
  • Freedom of speech is limited to prevent hate speech. This is done to protect the rights of people and maintain public order
• explain how people's identities have now become more varied and widely accepted by society.

  • A person may identify closely with the region or area they live-their locality.
  • A person may seek to define identity with the clothes which they wear or style of dress.
  • A person may have another layer of identity from their gender or sexuality.
  • A person may wish to be clearly identified with a religion as it may support a style of life which they have an affinity with.
  • A person may identify with a particular ethnic group as they share their values and history, and this may lead to cultural identity.
• Name one of the principal roles of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  • This role means that the chancellor is responsible for raising taxes.
  • One principal role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer is controlling public spending. This means the Chancellor decides how government money is spent on things like the NHS, schools, and public services.
• explain 2 of the main features of the UK's constitution.

  • The UK's constitution is uncodified. The core aspect of this is that it is not found in one single document.
  • The UK's constitution is said to be flexible. This means that it is easily changed & amended as it is not entrenched.
• Identify 3 issues on which the UK's major political parties often disagree.

  • the funds allocated to the NHS
  • attitudes towards the EU
  • The level of support given to the vulnerable society.
• suggest 2 types of cases which a civil court deals with.

  • Civil courts deal with property disputes such as ownership
  • Civil courts deal with family matters such as the rights of children(adoption)
• suggest 3 different methods used to punish offenders as a means of reducing crime.

  • forms of restorative justice
  • A person found guilty of a criminal offence may be placed on probation
  • One way to punish criminals is to take away their freedom and impose a custodial sentence(jail)
• explain one way by which youth courts differ from other courts.

  • in a youth court a person who is under 16 must be accompanied by an adult over 18 whereas this doesnt apply in other courts.
  • Youth courts are closed to the public to protect the young person’s identity.
  • Judges in youth courts don’t wear wigs or gowns to make it less formal.
• Identify 3 rights of a person when placed under arrest.

  • The person who is arrested has the right to inform a family member of their arrest
  • A person who is arrested must know for what reasons their arrested and why.
  • after they have been arrest, they have the right to see a solicitor to obtain legal advice & guidance.
• Explain two reasons why mutual respect is necessary in society. (4)

  1. If mutual respect was not in place there would be serious damage to building valuable community cohesion. This could lead to a breakdown in civil life.
  2. In the UK we live in a diverse society with many different customs & traditions. We couldn’t live peacefully side by side if there was continued disrespect for other cultural norms.
• explain one way in which a local council are democratic.

  • local councils are elected by the local community in free & fair elections
• Suggest 2 benefits of migration in the UK

  • it allows the UK to fill any skills shortages
  • it creates economic benefits for certain sectors of the economy, which aid growth.
• Explain the significance of religion for young people in the UK today

  • Religion provides identity: It gives young people a sense of belonging, linking them to family and community.
  • Religion teaches moral values: It guides their sense of right and wrong and how they treat others.
  • Religion shapes life events: It provides meaning for celebrations and milestones like weddings, births, and deaths.
  • Religion influences education: Many schools promote religious values, helping young people develop their beliefs.
  • No religion isn’t negative: Growing up without religion doesn’t mean lacking values or becoming a worse person.
  • Non-religious young people can still be moral: They can still develop respect, tolerance, and a moral compass without religion.
• Explain two main differences between the House of Lords (HOL) and the House of Commons (HOC):

  • The House of Commons is made up of elected MPs, while the House of Lords is made up of appointed members (lords and peers) who are not elected
  • The House of Commons has more power because it can make and pass laws, while the House of Lords can only suggest changes or delay laws, but not block them completely.
• “Identify one of the roles carried out by a government minister.”

  • Heading a department of state
  • Instructing civil servants to act in a certain way
• )Identify three distinct features of the Westminster first-past-the-post voting system. (3)

  1. This may mean that in many seats the winner doesn’t gain 50% of the vote cast
  2. The system in the UK has just one member for each region or constituency.
  3. They are currently 650 members elected via FPTP & this gives a geographical representation for all of the UK.
• 5 (a) Suggest two reasons why crime rates may increase in society. (2)

  1. More opportunities for crime – such as internet social media.
  2. New laws are introduced which increase the range of criminal offences.

  Higher unemployment can lead some people to commit crimes for money.

  ✅ 2. Poor education or lack of opportunities may increase crime rates.
• (b) Identify three reasons why we need laws in society. (3)

  1. To act as a deterrence
  2. To protect the public from crime & its impact
  3. To punish offenders

  • To set standards of behaviour.
• (c) Explain one benefit of using mediation to settle a legal dispute. (2)

  • It is less expensive this saves the money of the participants.
  • It is quicker than going to court, so the dispute is settled faster.
• 2 family matters which civil law deals with

  • adoption
  • when a will in inherited
  • divorce & seperation of married couple
• Explain three ways the Magna Carta has influenced the UK’s legal system today. (4 marks)

  Answers:

  1. Promoted and advanced the right to a trial by peers/jury. This is important as it secures individual justice.
  2. It promoted and advanced the rule of law. This is important for it shows the law to be applicable to all in society.
  3. It established the principle that nobody should be falsely imprisoned or have rights removed. This improves the potential for a fair trial.
• Suggest two ways in which the age structure of the UK population affects levels of government spending on different services. (2)

  1. It has to ensure that older generations have access to suitable housing to meet their needs.
  2. It has to ensure there are sufficient places in education for children and young adults – such as school provisions.
  3. It has to ensure all generations have access to medical support – birth facilities where the population is growing and care facilities for elderly.
• (e) Identify two differences between councillors and officers in local government. (2)

  1. Councillors are elected by the local population whereas officers are appointed to their post.
  2. Councillors remain in their post until re-elected or retire whereas officers generally have more permanent terms of employment.
  3. Councillors are held accountable by the local residents for policy decisions whereas officers merely carry out the commands of the elected councillors.
• 3 (a) Name one of the principal roles carried out by the Speaker of the House of Commons. (1)

  • Keep order during debates
  • Determines who speaks and when in the commons
  • She/he also serves as an MP for a constituency
• (b) Explain two key stages of the process which a bill in Parliament goes through in order to become a law. (4)

  1. Next is the report stage: Here the committee report & the whole house has a chance to comment.
  2. Next stage is third reading: here is the final chance to comment and vote on the bill.
  3. Final stage is the Royal assent: This is where the monarch signs the bill for it to become a new law.
• (c) Suggest three ways by which Parliament holds the UK Government to account. (3)

  1. Parliamentary Inquiries
  2. Prime Ministerial question time
  3. Ministerial question time
  4. Holding a vote of no confidence
  5. Debates and votes on specific topics
• 5 (a) Suggest two reasons why a prison sentence may not be the most appropriate punishment for some offenders. (2)

  1. Prison is not as effective as other forms of punishment. Prison has different impact depending on age of offenders (e.g. less remedial impact on young males).
  2. Placing more people in prison has not slowed the rate of crime.
• (b) Identify three roles which citizens play in the legal system. (3)

  1. A citizen can have a role as a witness in legal proceedings.
  2. A citizen can be asked to serve as a juror in cases which have a jury trial.
  3. A citizen can become a magistrate and serve to dispense justice in a local area.
  4. A citizen can serve as a lay member on a tribunal.
• (c) Suggest two ways in which the presumption of innocence upholds rights and freedoms. (2)

  1. The presumption of innocence ensures that all accused are equal before the law.
  2. Presumption of innocence ensures that those accused of a crime are given a fair trial.
  3. A person remains innocent until trial process has concluded & verdict given.
• 6 (a) Tribunals are most likely to be used to resolve

  ☐ A an unpaid parking fine on private land☐ B petty theft where the value of the goods stolen is less than £50☐ C where a will is contested by relatives✅ D where a person feels that they have been unfairly dismissed
• (b) Explain why published statistics recording crime may sometimes be inaccurate. (2)

  The police may choose not to record a crime in which case it is not included in the statistics.

  The police have to choose which category a crime is placed – which means they might wrongly categorise affecting the statistics.
• (c) In the UK many people have multiple identities.Explain two ways to show how an individual can have more than one identity. (4)

  1. An individual may have an identity within a family grouping – mother, father on to the extended family. This may often be combined with a religious identity which is manifested.
  2. An individual might base their identity on a common cultural heritage. This may be enhanced with the food and style of cooking.
  3. An individual might base their identity on their work or profession. They might also identify themselves with the sport they play or support.
• (d) Suggest two reasons why people from overseas have migrated to the UK since 2000. (2)

  1. People might move to the UK because of war and famine. E.g. migrants from Syria fleeing because of war.
  2. People might migrate to join their families who are already in the UK. Usually people from commonwealth.
  3. People might migrate because of economic reasons. There is no employment in their home country or the UK offers better pay. Workers from EU have migrated to UK.
• (e) Explain one source of local government income. (2)

  Taxes: such as council tax – levied against residential properties in the locality.

  Taxes: such as business rates – levied on business properties which engage in trade in the locality.
• 3 (a) Name one role undertaken by a civil servant. (1)

  • May represent UK in foreign countries.
  • Civil servants prepare policies for ministers.
  • Prepare briefs and statements for ministers to issue.
• Explain two differences between First Past The Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR):

  1. FPTP gives the seat to whoever gets the most votes (even if it’s not 50%), while PR gives seats based on the percentage of votes each party gets.
  2. FPTP has been used in UK elections for a long time, but PR is more recent (since 1998).
  3. FPTP is quicker and easier to count, while PR takes longer and is more complicated.
• c) Suggest three reasons why new laws are created in the UK. (3)

  1. Respond to a new emergency e.g. covid 19
  2. Put into place a government’s plan after a election.
  3. Consider a new development in society such as that which covers technology
  4. Respond to the demands of pressure groups & other collective interests.