uk qcm

• Bill


  A proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law
• Laws come from various sources such as governing and opposition parties, public inquiries, civil servants, or campaign groups
• Green Paper


  A proposal document that presents the government's ideas for future policy
• White Paper


  A document that outlines a firmer plan for government policy
• How a Bill becomes law

  1. Proposal of a Green Paper

  2. Public discussion

  3. Publication of a White Paper

  4. Agreement by Cabinet Ministers

  5. Introduction of a Bill to Parliament

  6. Comments, debates, and amendments by MPs and members of the House of Lords

  7. Agreed by both houses of Parliament

  8. Formal approval, or Royal Assent, by the monarch
• Act of Parliament


  A law that has been passed by Parliament
• Both Houses of Parliament share responsibility for making and shaping laws
• The final step for a Bill to become law is formal approval, or Royal Assent, by the monarch
• Who introduces a Bill to Parliament for debate

  The Minister responsible for the policy
• Who comments on, debates, or amends a Bill

  MPs and members of the House of Lords
• Ps and members of the House of Lords
• What happens at the end of the process of passing a Bill?

  It must be agreed by both houses of Parliament
• Where do laws come from in the first place?
• Laws do not come from the Prime Minister, the monarch, or the House of Lords.
• Green Paper


  A proposal called a Green Paper is published, which presents the Government's ideas for future policy.
• A Green Paper is not a document outlining the responsibilities of the House of Lords, a proposal for a new law, or a document outlining the responsibilities of the Prime Minister.
• White Paper


  A white paper is published which outlines a firmer plan for Government policy.
• A white paper is not a document outlining the responsibilities of the House of Lords, a proposal for a new law, or a document outlining the responsibilities of the Prime Minister.
• Who introduces the Bill to Parliament for debate?

  The Minister responsible for the policy introduces the Bill to Parliament for debate.
• The Prime Minister, the monarch, and the House of Lords do not introduce the Bill to Parliament for debate.
• Who comments on, debates or amends the Bill?

  MPs and members of the House of Lords comment on, debate or amend the Bill.
• The Minister responsible for the policy, the monarch, and the Prime Minister do not comment on, debate or amend the Bill.
• What happens after the Bill is agreed by both houses?

  It is then passed to the monarch who gives formal approval, or Royal Assent, and the Bill becomes law, called an Act of Parliament.
• The Bill is not sent to the Prime Minister or the Minister responsible for the policy for final approval.
• Who runs government?


  The Prime Minister
• Role of the Prime Minister


  The Prime Minister is the leader of His Majesty's Government and is ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions. The Prime Minister also oversees the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies, appoints members of the government, and is the principal government figure in the House of Commons.
• Cabinet


  The Cabinet is made up of the senior members of government. Every week during Parliament, members of the Cabinet (Secretaries of State from all departments and some other ministers) meet to discuss the most important issues for the government.
• How government is run


  Government departments and agencies are responsible for putting government policy into practice. Government departments cover different areas of governance, and their agencies provide government services. Non-ministerial departments are headed by senior civil servants and have a regulatory or inspection function.
• Civil Service


  The Civil Service does the practical and administrative work of government. It is co-ordinated and managed by the Prime Minister, in their role as Minister for the Civil Service. The Civil Service provides services direct to the public, including paying benefits and pensions, running employment services, staffing prisons, and issuing driving licences.
• How are laws made?

  Laws go through several stages before they are passed by Parliament. The House of Commons and the House of Lords work together to make laws. The process includes drafting legislation, publishing white papers and green papers for public comments, proposing bills, and finally, approving acts of Parliament.
• Freedom of Information Act


  The Freedom of Information Act gives individuals the right to request recorded information from public sector organisations. Anyone can make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, regardless of age, nationality, or residence.
• Official Statistics


  Official Statistics are produced by the government and provide information about various areas of public life. They are used to make informed decisions and measure the success of government policies and services.
• Transparency in government


  Transparency in government allows the public to hold politicians, public services, and public organisations accountable. The government publishes information about how it works, including spending, salaries of senior civil servants, and progress towards objectives.
• Devolved government


  In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, devolved administrations are responsible for many domestic policy issues, and their Parliaments/Assemblies have law-making powers for those areas.
• The Prime Minister is the leader of His Majesty's Government and is ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions.
• The Prime Minister oversees the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies.
• The Prime Minister appoints members of the government.
• The Prime Minister is the principal government figure in the House of Commons.
• Government departments and agencies are responsible for putting government policy into practice.
• Advisory NDPBs provide independent, expert advice to ministers.