Guide contents
Booking and test day
  1. Test format
  2. Test fee
  3. Test ID
  4. Test validity
  5. Lost reference
Start learning
  1. First steps
  2. Settlement and citizenship
  3. Values and principles
  4. What is the UK?
History
  1. History overview
  2. Early Britain
  3. The Middle Ages
  4. Tudors and Stuarts
  5. A global power
  6. The 20th century
  7. Britain since 1945
Society
  1. Modern society
  2. The UK today
  3. Cities and currency
  4. Religion
  5. Customs
  6. Sport and culture
  7. Leisure
  8. Culture facts
Government and law
  1. Government overview
  2. Democracy
  3. Constitution
  4. Government
  5. International institutions
  6. Law and courts
  7. Rights and tax
  8. Community role

Government and law

Government, law and your role

In short

This part is about roles: who makes laws, who runs services, who applies the law and how people take part.

Test atoms

Use this part as a role map.

Atom Watch out for
Monarch = head of state Head of state is not the same as leading government.
Prime Minister = leads government The monarch appoints the Prime Minister.
Parliament = makes laws and checks government Parliament and government are related but not identical.
Commons = elected MPs Commons and Lords are different chambers.
Lords = reviews and debates laws Lords is not elected in the same way as Commons.
Criminal law = crimes; civil law = disputes This is one of the key law pairs.

What not to over-learn first

  • Do not memorise institutions as a list. Learn what each one does.
  • Start with role separation, then add detail.

Spot the correct statement

The real test often asks you to recognise a correct sentence, not write an answer from memory. You should be able to spot statements like these:

  • The monarch is head of state.
  • The Prime Minister leads the government.
  • The House of Commons is elected.

The route through this part

  1. Democracy
  2. Constitution and Parliament
  3. Government and parties
  4. International institutions
  5. Law and courts
  6. Rights, tax and community duties

Main role map

Most mistakes happen when these roles get mixed up.

Institution Main role
Parliament Makes laws and checks government
Government Runs public services and makes policy
Courts Apply the law
Residents Take part through voting, taxes, jury service and community life

What to remember

  • The UK is a parliamentary democracy with the monarch as head of state.
  • Parliament makes laws and checks government.
  • Government runs public services and makes policy.
  • Courts apply the law.
  • Citizens and residents can take part in the democratic process.

Do not mix these up

  • The monarch is head of state. The Prime Minister leads the government.
  • Parliament makes laws. Government runs public services under those laws.
  • Courts apply the law. They do not make government policy.

Key words

parliamentary democracy, monarch, head of state, democratic process.

Use government and law practice after these pages.

Quick check

Try from memory before opening the answer.

Who is the head of state?

The monarch.

Who leads the government?

The Prime Minister.

Which institution applies the law?

The courts.