Starter quiz
- What is one consequence of central government reducing funding for local councils?
- Local councils no longer need to collect Council Tax.
- Councils must find new ways to generate income. ✓
- Councils can spend more on services.
- Councils have fewer responsibilities.
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- Why might a local council struggle to plan long-term spending?
- 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.
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- Why might some people oppose borrowing to fund public services?
- It makes public services cheaper.
- It allows councils to reduce taxes.
- It increases national debt. ✓
- It immediately boosts economic growth.
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- 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.
- Economic conditions change. ✓
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- Fill in the gap: Local government funding addresses ______-specific needs like local roads, public housing, waste management and schools.
- 'community' ✓
- Match each revenue source to its correct description.
- inflation⇔the rate at which the prices of goods and services rise over time ✓
- Budget⇔the Government's yearly financial plan ✓
- tax⇔the charges imposed by the Government on citizens and corporations ✓
- Treasury⇔government department responsible for managing the country's finances ✓
Exit quiz
- Match the words to their correct definitions.
- public⇔services owned by the Government and funded through taxation ✓
- private⇔services owned by companies and funded by customers or investors ✓
- privatised⇔when a government-owned service is sold to a private company ✓
- Which Prime Minister introduced large-scale privatisation in the UK?
- Tony Blair
- Theresea May
- Margaret Thatcher ✓
- Liz Truss
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- Which of the following has not been fully privatised in the UK?
- the NHS ✓
- British Rail
- British Airways
- Royal Mail
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- 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.
- It can improve efficiency and innovation. ✓
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- Fill in the gap: The UK has a ______ economy, meaning that funding comes from a range of sources.
- 'combined' ✓
- Why might some people prefer the Government to run all essential services?
- It ensures profit is prioritised over public welfare.
- It guarantees that services are accessible to everyone. ✓
- It prevents any competition in the market.
- The Government always acts faster than companies can.
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Public services, like the NHS, are primarily funded through taxation, ensuring equitable access to essential services.
- Private services rely on customer payments and private investment, often prioritising profit generation.
- Government ownership ensures consistent service delivery nationwide and long-term infrastructure investment.
- Privatisation can drive efficiency, innovation and service improvements.
- The UK has a combined economy to balance equity, competition and economic efficiency, using private and public funds.
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.
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
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