a system of government that operates at a local level providing services to its community

essential needs provided by the Government or local authorities to meet the needs of the public, such as healthcare, education, transportation and safety

an elected body responsible for local decisions, including parish councils, city councils and county councils

a local, direct tax calculated on the basis of the value of a property and the number of people living there

What are the financial challenges facing local government?

Citizenship

Pupils learn what the economy is, what taxes are and consider local and central government spending and risk management.

How does the economy work?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

References to gangs, knife crime, Child criminal exploitation, county lines.

Local councils have no control over their spending.

Central government fully controls local budgets.

Local councils are able to make some decisions about their spending.

What is the relationship between central government and local government, in relation to funding?

Which of the following is **not** a responsibility of local government?

A key financial {{}} for local government is the reduction of central government funding.

a tax paid by businesses on the properties they use

funding provided to councils to help run local services

Match the source of funding for local councils with the relevant explanations.

It reduces the number of people using public services.

It makes Council Tax rates automatically rise.

It means that councils cannot provide the services at the same cost.

It increases the amount of government funding councils receive.

How does inflation create a financial challenge for local councils?

Which of these local government services is considered essential?

Which of the following areas of spending is **not** part of social protection?

When the Government spends more than it earns, it must {{}} money to cover the shortfall.

business leaders within the private sector

the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Treasury

Of those listed below, who plays the biggest role in deciding where Government money is spent?

lower taxes or increased government borrowing

measures to reduce spending, such as higher interest rates

Match each economic situation to the most likely government response.

The NHS is free, so it does not need more money.

Increased NHS funding improves public health and reduces long-term costs.

Other sectors, like transport, are more important than healthcare.

The NHS currently receives the smallest share of government spending.

Why do some people argue for more NHS funding over other areas?

funds local services like waste collection and social care

paid by companies on their profits to fund public services

taxes on specific products like alcohol, tobacco and fuel

Match each tax to its main purpose or use.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz