New
New
Year 11

How can communities improve the local economy?

I can explain what businesses make up my local economy and how small businesses contribute to the local economy.

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New
New
Year 11

How can communities improve the local economy?

I can explain what businesses make up my local economy and how small businesses contribute to the local economy.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Local economies include businesses like shops, financial institutions and social enterprises that support growth.
  2. Markets and credit unions help local people by providing goods, services and financial support.
  3. Small businesses create jobs, drive innovation and keep money circulating locally.
  4. Taxes from businesses fund public services like schools, healthcare and transport.
  5. Small businesses also support communities through charity, events and local investment.

Keywords

  • Local economy - all business activity and wealth creation in a specific area, town or community

  • Small business - independently owned companies that contribute to local employment and the local economy; they contain 0-49 employees

Common misconception

Only large businesses contribute to the local economy.

Small businesses also play a crucial role in job creation, local investment and community development. They generate employment, keep money circulating within the community and contribute significantly through taxation.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How can communities improve the local economy?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use role-play or small group discussions where pupils act as business owners, customers or local government officials to explore how small businesses support the community.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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.
services such as healthcare, education and transport are essential for a strong local economy.
Correct Answer: Public, public
Q2.
Which of the following is NOT a reason the local economy changes?
businesses open and close over time
consumer habits shift and industries evolve
the Government sets business policies
Correct answer: the world population increases
Q3.
What can weaken a local economy?
Correct answer: a major employer shuts down, leading to job losses
investment in transport links improves business access
public services receive funding to support workers
new businesses open, creating more job opportunities
Q4.
The local government can support economic growth by investing in buildings and other .
Correct Answer: infrastructure
Q5.
What is the best definition of the local economy?
businesses and shops in a local area
the amount of money people have
how international trade affects the UK
Correct answer: the way money, businesses and jobs operate in an area
Q6.
Match the factors to their impact on the local economy.
Correct Answer:the Government's policies on tax,affects business rates and job creation

affects business rates and job creation

Correct Answer:transport links and infrastructure,helps businesses and workers access opportunities

helps businesses and workers access opportunities

Correct Answer:public services such as healthcare,support a productive and skilled workforce

support a productive and skilled workforce

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word with its definition.
Correct Answer:local economy,all business activity and wealth creation in a specific area

all business activity and wealth creation in a specific area

Correct Answer:small business,independently owned companies that contribute to the local economy

independently owned companies that contribute to the local economy

Correct Answer:taxation,money collected from citizens to fund public services

money collected from citizens to fund public services

Correct Answer:employment,the number of people who have jobs in a community

the number of people who have jobs in a community

Q2.
Small businesses help sustain the local economy by creating jobs and keeping money circulating locally, while also contributing to public services through ...
Correct Answer: taxation, business rates, taxes, tax
Q3.
Which of the following is NOT a way that small businesses contribute to the local economy?
they provide jobs for local people
they help fund public services through taxation
Correct answer: they only support international suppliers
they invest in local events and charities
Q4.
Match the start of the sentence with its ending.
Correct Answer:Markets and credit unions,provide local people with access to goods and financial support.

provide local people with access to goods and financial support.

Correct Answer:Small businesses create,jobs, helping to reduce unemployment and improve economic stability.

jobs, helping to reduce unemployment and improve economic stability.

Correct Answer:Taxes collected from businesses,help fund essential services like schools, healthcare and transport.

help fund essential services like schools, healthcare and transport.

Correct Answer:Local businesses,often reinvest in the community through sponsorships and events.

often reinvest in the community through sponsorships and events.

Q5.
Which statement best explains why small businesses are important to the local economy?
only large businesses contribute to economic growth
Correct answer: small businesses create jobs and reinvest in the community
small businesses take away jobs from larger businesses
large businesses are the only ones that pay tax
Q6.
Order the words to make a name of a financial institution:
1 - The
2 - London
3 - Mutual
4 - Credit
5 - Union