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Year 10

Should public services be privatised?

I can explain how different ownership affects funding and discuss whether public services should be privatised or owned by the Government.

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New
New
Year 10

Should public services be privatised?

I can explain how different ownership affects funding and discuss whether public services should be privatised or owned by the Government.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Public services, like the NHS, are primarily funded through taxation, ensuring equitable access to essential services.
  2. Private services rely on customer payments and private investment, often prioritising profit generation.
  3. Government ownership ensures consistent service delivery nationwide and long-term infrastructure investment.
  4. Privatisation can drive efficiency, innovation and service improvements.
  5. The UK has a combined economy to balance equity, competition and economic efficiency, using private and public funds.

Keywords

  • Public - in this context, owned and run by the UK Government and funded out of tax

  • Private - owned and run by companies that have nothing to do with the Government and are funded by shareholders and investors

  • Privatised - public services that have been sold by the UK Government to private companies to run on their behalf

Common misconception

All public services are owned and run by the UK Government.

Since Margaret Thatcher's Government (1979-1990), many public services in the UK have been sold and are now owned by private companies, including British Rail, British Steel, British Telecom and British Gas.


To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: Should public services be privatised?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Research a local public service that has been sold to a private company in order to use an example from the local community to discuss the pros and cons of privatisation with pupils.
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Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is one consequence of central government reducing funding for local councils?
Local councils no longer need to collect Council Tax.
Correct answer: Councils must find new ways to generate income.
Councils can spend more on services.
Councils have fewer responsibilities.
Q2.
Why might a local council struggle to plan long-term spending?
Correct answer: Business rates and government grants can fluctuate.
Councillors may not know how much Council Tax to charge.
Councils are only allowed to plan their budgets one year at a time.
Councils must get spending approval from residents before making decisions.
Q3.
Why might some people oppose borrowing to fund public services?
It makes public services cheaper.
It allows councils to reduce taxes.
Correct answer: It increases national debt.
It immediately boosts economic growth.
Q4.
Why can government spending priorities change over time?
Spending limits remain the same each year.
The public never influences financial decisions.
New laws prevent changes in spending.
Correct answer: Economic conditions change.
Q5.
Fill in the gap: Local government funding addresses -specific needs like local roads, public housing, waste management and schools.
Correct Answer: community
Q6.
Match each revenue source to its correct description.
Correct Answer:inflation,the rate at which the prices of goods and services rise over time
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the rate at which the prices of goods and services rise over time

Correct Answer:Budget,the Government's yearly financial plan
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the Government's yearly financial plan

Correct Answer:tax,the charges imposed by the Government on citizens and corporations
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the charges imposed by the Government on citizens and corporations

Correct Answer:Treasury,government department responsible for managing the country's finances
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government department responsible for managing the country's finances

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:public,services owned by the Government and funded through taxation
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services owned by the Government and funded through taxation

Correct Answer:private,services owned by companies and funded by customers or investors
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services owned by companies and funded by customers or investors

Correct Answer:privatised,when a government-owned service is sold to a private company
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when a government-owned service is sold to a private company

Q2.
Which Prime Minister introduced large-scale privatisation in the UK?
Tony Blair
Theresea May
Correct answer: Margaret Thatcher
Liz Truss
Q3.
Which of the following has not been fully privatised in the UK?
Correct answer: the NHS
British Rail
British Airways
Royal Mail
Q4.
What is one perceived benefit of privatisation?
Services are always free to use.
The Government has more control over services.
It guarantees equal access for all.
Correct answer: It can improve efficiency and innovation.
Q5.
Fill in the gap: The UK has a economy, meaning that funding comes from a range of sources.
Correct Answer: combined
Q6.
Why might some people prefer the Government to run all essential services?
It ensures profit is prioritised over public welfare.
Correct answer: It guarantees that services are accessible to everyone.
It prevents any competition in the market.
The Government always acts faster than companies can.