Citizenship at key stage 3 (Year 7-9)

Unit 06: Government, elections and voting
Section 6: How does government spend its money?

Objectives

Children should learn:

how governments spend money and the impact on society
about how government organises its work through departments
to use the internet to undertake research and to communicate findings
to organise and present information in appropriate ways (NSE)

Activities		Outcomes
		Children:
Pupils use the internet to find answers to the following types of question: What does central government do? How does central government work? Who works for central government? What do government departments do? Where does central government get its money, who decides, how are taxes raised, and how much does it get? How is the money spent?, eg by government departments. Who decides this, and how? What is the relationship between government at a local and national level? Using ICT wherever possible, pupils could present their findings in a leaflet targeting younger pupils or parents and share these with the class.		identify the key functions of government and the role of government departments realise that government departments spend money raised through taxes and other sources of revenue recognise the effects that spending decisions can have on society communicate research findings appropriately to the audience

Points to note

Issues relating to spending, taxation and finance are developed further in key stage 4.
Useful websites include:
- www.open.gov.uk - links to all government sites
- www.pm.gov.uk - information, activities and links suitable for pupil use
- www.explore.parliament.uk - interactive site allowing pupils to explore different aspects of Parliament and parliamentary activity
- www.wales.gov.uk/youngvoice - information on the National Assembly for Wales
- www.scottish.parliament.uk/ypt - information for young people and teachers on the Scottish Parliament
- www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/education/education4.htm - financial information on government spending.
Link with NSE: year 7 Wr10, year 8 Wr10, year 9 Wr12.
This section could be used in conjunction with unit 5 'How the law protects animals - a local-to-global study'. This uses an issue to explore how government and parliament work, how issues are debated and how a bill is passed. Other issues could be used.

Sections in this unit

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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.


	1. When and how do we vote?
	2. What is an election?
	3. How are election campaigns organised?
	4. Participating in elections
	5. How does Parliament work? What other forms of parliament are there?
	6. How does government spend its money?

Citizenship at key stage 3 (Year 7-9)

Objectives

Activities

Outcomes

Points to note

Sections in this unit