The document discusses the different levels of government in the UK. It begins by explaining that there are multiple levels of government, including central, regional, and local levels. It then focuses on explaining central government, which includes the Monarch, House of Commons, and House of Lords that make up Parliament. The role and responsibilities of the Monarch in central government are then outlined in detail, including that the Monarch is the head of state but does not make laws, rather approves them, and has formal and ceremonial roles such as opening Parliament and appointing the Prime Minister.

2. Unit 1
Government, policies and the public services
View this in slide show now.

3. Rewind
• In our last session we explored:
– The House of Lords

4. • The aim of this session is to enable you to
understand the different levels of
government in the UK.
• The objective is that upon completion of
this session you will have studied:
– Central government
• The Monarch

5. Levels of government
• There are many levels of government.
• All levels have a direct or indirect impact
on our lives and the work of the uniformed
services.
• This session will focus on:
– Central government – the Monarch

6. All aspects of the governmental process
interact with and influence each other.
CENTRAL
Monarchy
House of Commons
House of Lords
Branches of government
REGIONAL
Devolved parliaments
Regional governments
LOCAL
Local authorities
County councils
Metropolitan councils

7. Central Government
• The House of Commons, the House of Lords and The
Monarch are called Parliament: the name given to the
Central Government
The Monarch
The House of Commons The House of Lords
Parliament
(Central Government)

8. Central Government
The Monarch
• The UK is a ‘constitutional monarchy’.
• This means that the Head of State (the
Queen or King) is the current reigning
monarch.
• They do not make the law. They only
agree it.
• Laws are generated and approved by an
elected body – the Houses of Parliament
(The Houses of Commons and Lords)

9. Central Government
The Monarch
• Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

10. Central Government
The Monarch
• To find out more about the Queen and the
royal family visit:
• http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp

11. Central Government
The Monarch
• Lives in Buckingham Palace

12. Central Government
The Monarch
• The monarch has a
number of important
formal and
ceremonial roles:
– Opening each new
session of parliament.
– Dissolving parliament
before a general
election.
– Appointment of the
Prime Minister.

13. Central Government
The Monarch
• The monarch has a
number of important
formal and
ceremonial roles:
– Final approval of laws
by ‘royal assent’.
– Appointment of peers
of the realm.
– Advice and guidance
to the Prime Minister.

14. Research task
• In small groups carry out research that
outlines the responsibilities of the
Monarch.
• Page 8 and 9 of the course book will
assist you.

15. Central Government
The Monarch
• Summary:
– In this session we have explored the role in
central government of the Monarch.

16. Look forward
• Our next session will focus on Devolved
Government