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13 Dec 2025
•
Nat 5 Modern Studies: UK Government Revision Notes
Aimee Mair
@aimeemair
1 / 8
UK Parliament Constituencies
Your vote matters more than you might think! A constituency is simply an area that elects one MP to represent them in the House of Commons. There are 650 constituencies across the UK, each sending one person to Parliament.
You might notice some constituencies seem massive whilst others are tiny. The size depends on the number of voters living in that area, not the physical space. Rural areas might cover huge distances but have fewer people, whilst urban constituencies pack loads of voters into smaller areas.
General Elections happen every five years like clockwork, with all 650 constituencies voting on the same day. The next one is set for 2nd May 2024, so you might even get to vote!
Quick Fact: If the government loses a "vote of no confidence," it usually means they can't get enough MPs to support new laws, so they resign and call a General Election.
UK Government Structure
Think of the UK government as a massive team with different roles. At the top, you've got the Prime Minister and around 22 Cabinet ministers who make the big decisions. These are the faces you see on the news arguing about policies.
But here's what's mental - there are actually about 120 MPs who work as government ministers in total. That's nearly a fifth of all MPs! They run different departments like Health, Education, and Defence.
The real workforce behind the scenes? Around 500,000 civil servants who actually carry out all the decisions once politicians have made them. They're the ones processing your passport applications and running the NHS day-to-day.
Remember: The Cabinet is just the nickname for the PM plus all the top government ministers working together.
How Government Connects
Here's how power flows in the UK - and why your vote actually matters. Voters (that's you soon!) elect 650 MPs to Parliament. The party with the most MPs usually forms the government, and their leader becomes Prime Minister.
The PM then chooses their Cabinet ministers to run different government departments. Meanwhile, Parliament has two parts: the House of Commons (elected MPs) and the House of Lords (appointed members).
This system means the government needs Parliament's support to pass new laws. If MPs don't like what the government's doing, they can vote against it. The departments then take these laws and apply them to real life through civil servants.
Key Point: Parliament doesn't just make laws - it also keeps an eye on the government to make sure they're doing their job properly.
How Laws Are Made
Before anything becomes law, it starts as a Bill - basically a proposal that gets debated and changed. Most bills come from government ministers, but backbench MPs can also propose Private Members' Bills to change laws they care about.
Every bill goes through the same process in both the House of Commons and House of Lords. It gets three readings where MPs debate it, plus a committee stage where they examine it in detail. Think of it like editing an essay - lots of people suggest improvements.
The final step is Royal Assent, where the monarch officially approves the law. This is just a formality nowadays - the Queen never actually refuses to sign laws that Parliament has passed.
Fun Fact: The whole process can take months or even years, which is why governments need to plan their laws carefully.
House of Lords Debate
The House of Lords splits opinion like Marmite. Supporters argue that Lords bring expertise from different professions - you've got former doctors, teachers, and business leaders who actually know what they're talking about when laws come up.
Lords also have more time than busy MPs to scrutinise bills properly. They're more likely to disagree with the government and can delay unpopular laws, which some see as a useful check on power.
But critics slam the Lords as unelected and traditionally dominated by posh, wealthy people. The PM can appoint loyal supporters as Life Peers, and average attendance is only 65% - imagine if that was your school attendance rate!
Think About It: Should people who aren't elected by voters have the power to change or delay laws that affect everyone?
Ethnic Representation in Parliament
Parliament doesn't look like modern Britain. Whilst 87% of the UK population is white, a whopping 91% of MPs are white - that's 595 people compared to just 20 Black MPs.
The incumbency effect partly explains this. Most sitting MPs are white and usually keep their seats election after election, making it harder for ethnic minority candidates to break through. It's like a cycle that's tough to break.
Implicit bias and racism still create barriers too. When high-profile politicians make controversial comments about ethnic minorities, it can put talented people off pursuing political careers entirely.
Reality Check: True representation means Parliament should roughly reflect the diversity of the people it serves.
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Nat 5 Modern Studies: UK Government Revision Notes
Aimee Mair
@aimeemair
Ever wondered how the UK government actually works and makes the laws that affect your daily life? Understanding Parliament, constituencies, and the law-making process is crucial for becoming an informed citizen who can participate in democracy.
UK Parliament Constituencies
Your vote matters more than you might think! A constituency is simply an area that elects one MP to represent them in the House of Commons. There are 650 constituencies across the UK, each sending one person to Parliament.
You might notice some constituencies seem massive whilst others are tiny. The size depends on the number of voters living in that area, not the physical space. Rural areas might cover huge distances but have fewer people, whilst urban constituencies pack loads of voters into smaller areas.
General Elections happen every five years like clockwork, with all 650 constituencies voting on the same day. The next one is set for 2nd May 2024, so you might even get to vote!
Quick Fact: If the government loses a "vote of no confidence," it usually means they can't get enough MPs to support new laws, so they resign and call a General Election.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
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UK Government Structure
Think of the UK government as a massive team with different roles. At the top, you've got the Prime Minister and around 22 Cabinet ministers who make the big decisions. These are the faces you see on the news arguing about policies.
But here's what's mental - there are actually about 120 MPs who work as government ministers in total. That's nearly a fifth of all MPs! They run different departments like Health, Education, and Defence.
The real workforce behind the scenes? Around 500,000 civil servants who actually carry out all the decisions once politicians have made them. They're the ones processing your passport applications and running the NHS day-to-day.
Remember: The Cabinet is just the nickname for the PM plus all the top government ministers working together.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
How Government Connects
Here's how power flows in the UK - and why your vote actually matters. Voters (that's you soon!) elect 650 MPs to Parliament. The party with the most MPs usually forms the government, and their leader becomes Prime Minister.
The PM then chooses their Cabinet ministers to run different government departments. Meanwhile, Parliament has two parts: the House of Commons (elected MPs) and the House of Lords (appointed members).
This system means the government needs Parliament's support to pass new laws. If MPs don't like what the government's doing, they can vote against it. The departments then take these laws and apply them to real life through civil servants.
Key Point: Parliament doesn't just make laws - it also keeps an eye on the government to make sure they're doing their job properly.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
How Laws Are Made
Before anything becomes law, it starts as a Bill - basically a proposal that gets debated and changed. Most bills come from government ministers, but backbench MPs can also propose Private Members' Bills to change laws they care about.
Every bill goes through the same process in both the House of Commons and House of Lords. It gets three readings where MPs debate it, plus a committee stage where they examine it in detail. Think of it like editing an essay - lots of people suggest improvements.
The final step is Royal Assent, where the monarch officially approves the law. This is just a formality nowadays - the Queen never actually refuses to sign laws that Parliament has passed.
Fun Fact: The whole process can take months or even years, which is why governments need to plan their laws carefully.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
House of Lords Debate
The House of Lords splits opinion like Marmite. Supporters argue that Lords bring expertise from different professions - you've got former doctors, teachers, and business leaders who actually know what they're talking about when laws come up.
Lords also have more time than busy MPs to scrutinise bills properly. They're more likely to disagree with the government and can delay unpopular laws, which some see as a useful check on power.
But critics slam the Lords as unelected and traditionally dominated by posh, wealthy people. The PM can appoint loyal supporters as Life Peers, and average attendance is only 65% - imagine if that was your school attendance rate!
Think About It: Should people who aren't elected by voters have the power to change or delay laws that affect everyone?
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ethnic Representation in Parliament
Parliament doesn't look like modern Britain. Whilst 87% of the UK population is white, a whopping 91% of MPs are white - that's 595 people compared to just 20 Black MPs.
The incumbency effect partly explains this. Most sitting MPs are white and usually keep their seats election after election, making it harder for ethnic minority candidates to break through. It's like a cycle that's tough to break.
Implicit bias and racism still create barriers too. When high-profile politicians make controversial comments about ethnic minorities, it can put talented people off pursuing political careers entirely.
Reality Check: True representation means Parliament should roughly reflect the diversity of the people it serves.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user