5. The UK government, the law and your role

The development of British democracy, the constitution, the justice system, and how to get involved.

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The development of British democracy / The British constitution

The development of British democracy

  • The UK is a parliamentary democracy with the monarch as head of state.
  • Democracy is a system of government where the whole adult population gets a say, either by direct voting or by choosing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
  • At the turn of the 19th century only men over 21 who owned a certain amount of property could vote in elections to Parliament.
  • The franchise means the number of people who have the right to vote; it grew over the course of the 19th century.
  • In the 1830s and 1840s a group called the Chartists campaigned for reform, wanting six changes.
  • The Chartists' six demands were: the vote for every man; elections every year; equality between all regions in the electoral system; secret ballots; the right of any man to stand as an MP; and payment for MPs.
  • The Chartists' campaign was generally seen as a failure at the time, but by 1918 most of the six reforms had been adopted.
  • In 1918 the voting franchise was extended to women over 30.
  • In 1928 the franchise was extended to men and women over 21.
  • In 1969 the voting age was reduced to 18 for men and women.

The British constitution

  • A constitution is a set of principles by which a country is governed, covering the institutions that run the country, how their power is kept in check, and laws and conventions.
  • The British constitution is not written down in any single document, so it is described as 'unwritten'.
  • The UK, unlike America or France, has never had a revolution which led permanently to a totally new system of government, and its most important institutions have developed over hundreds of years.

Constitutional institutions

  • The main parts of government in the UK are the monarchy, Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords), the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the judiciary (courts), the police, the civil service and local government.
  • There are devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that have the power to legislate on certain issues.

The monarchy

  • Queen Elizabeth II is head of state of the UK and is also monarch or head of state for many countries in the Commonwealth.
  • The UK has a constitutional monarchy: the king or queen does not rule the country but appoints the government the people have chosen in a democratic election.
  • The monarch invites the leader of the party with the largest number of MPs, or the leader of a coalition, to become Prime Minister.
  • The monarch has regular meetings with the Prime Minister and can advise, warn and encourage, but decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and cabinet.
  • The Queen has reigned since her father's death in 1952.
  • In 2012 the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years as queen.
  • The Queen was married to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, until his death in 2021.
  • The Queen's eldest son, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, is the heir to the throne.
  • The Queen opens the new parliamentary session each year and makes a speech summarising the government's policies for the year ahead.
  • All Acts of Parliament are made in the monarch's name.
  • The Queen represents the UK abroad by receiving foreign ambassadors and high commissioners, entertaining visiting heads of state, and making state visits overseas.
  • The Queen provides stability and continuity as head of state while governments and Prime Ministers change regularly.
  • The National Anthem of the UK is 'God Save the Queen', played at important national occasions and at events attended by the Queen or the Royal Family.
  • The first line of the National Anthem is 'God save our gracious Queen!'.
  • New citizens swear or affirm loyalty to the Queen, her heirs and successors as part of the citizenship ceremony; the oath of allegiance is sworn by Almighty God, while the affirmation of allegiance is a solemn declaration without it.

System of government

  • The UK is divided into parliamentary constituencies, and voters in each constituency elect their MP at a General Election.
  • All of the elected MPs form the House of Commons, and the party with the majority of MPs forms the government.
  • If one party does not win a majority, two parties can join together to form a coalition.

The House of Commons

  • The House of Commons is regarded as the more important of Parliament's two chambers because its members are democratically elected.
  • The Prime Minister and almost all the members of the cabinet are members of the House of Commons.
  • MPs represent everyone in their constituency, help to create new laws, scrutinise and comment on what the government is doing, and debate important national issues.

The House of Lords

  • Members of the House of Lords are known as peers; they are not elected by the people and do not represent a constituency.
  • Until 1958 all peers were hereditary (they inherited their title), senior judges, or bishops of the Church of England.
  • Since 1958 the Prime Minister has had the power to nominate peers just for their own lifetime, known as life peers, who have usually had an important career in politics, business, law or another profession.
  • Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister, and also include people nominated by the leaders of the other main parties or by an independent Appointments Commission for non-party peers.
  • Since 1999 hereditary peers have lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords and now elect a few of their number to represent them.
  • The House of Lords is normally more independent of the government than the House of Commons.
  • The House of Lords can suggest amendments or propose new laws for MPs to discuss, checks laws passed by the House of Commons to ensure they are fit for purpose, and holds the government to account.
  • The House of Commons has powers to overrule the House of Lords, but these are not used often.

The Speaker

  • Debates in the House of Commons are chaired by the Speaker, who is the chief officer of the House of Commons.
  • The Speaker is neutral and does not represent a political party, but is still an MP who represents a constituency and deals with constituents' problems.
  • The Speaker is chosen by the other MPs in a secret ballot.
  • The Speaker keeps order during debates, makes sure the opposition has a guaranteed amount of time to debate issues which it chooses, and represents Parliament on ceremonial occasions.

Elections

  • MPs are elected at a General Election, which is held at least every five years.
  • If an MP dies or resigns, a fresh election called a by-election is held in that MP's constituency.
  • MPs are elected through the 'first past the post' system: in each constituency the candidate who gets the most votes is elected.

Contacting elected members

  • Contact details for all your representatives and their parties are available from your local library and from www.parliament.uk.
  • MPs, Senedd members (SMs) and members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are listed in The Phone Book, published by BT.
  • You can contact MPs by letter or telephone at their constituency office, or at the House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA, telephone 020 7219 3000.
  • Many MPs, SMs and MSPs hold regular local 'surgeries' where constituents can go in person to talk about issues of concern, often advertised in the local newspaper.

The government (part 1)

The Prime Minister

  • The Prime Minister (PM) is the leader of the political party in power.
  • The Prime Minister appoints the members of the cabinet and has control over many important public appointments.
  • The official home of the Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street, in central London, near the Houses of Parliament.
  • The Prime Minister also has a country house outside London called Chequers.
  • The Prime Minister can be changed if the MPs in the governing party decide to do so, or if he or she wishes to resign.
  • The Prime Minister usually resigns if his or her party loses a General Election.

The cabinet

  • The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments; together they form the cabinet.
  • The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy.
  • The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration.
  • The Foreign Secretary is responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries.
  • Other ministers, called 'Secretaries of State', are responsible for subjects such as education, health and defence.
  • The cabinet is a committee which usually meets weekly and makes important decisions about government policy.
  • Many cabinet decisions have to be debated or approved by Parliament.
  • Each department also has Ministers of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State, who take charge of particular areas of its work.

The opposition

  • The second-largest party in the House of Commons is called the opposition.
  • The leader of the opposition usually becomes Prime Minister if his or her party wins the next General Election.
  • The leader of the opposition leads his or her party in pointing out the government's failures and weaknesses.
  • Prime Minister's Questions takes place every week while Parliament is sitting.
  • The leader of the opposition appoints senior opposition MPs to be 'shadow ministers', who form the shadow cabinet.
  • The role of the shadow cabinet is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.

The party system

  • Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP, but is unlikely to win without the nomination of a major political party.
  • The major political parties are the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests.
  • MPs who do not represent any of the main political parties are called 'independents', and usually represent an issue important to their constituency.
  • The main political parties look for members of the public to join their debates, contribute to their costs, and help at elections for Parliament or local government.
  • The main political parties have branches in most constituencies and hold policy-making conferences every year.
  • Pressure and lobby groups are organisations which try to influence government policy.
  • The CBI (Confederation of British Industry) is a representative organisation which puts forward the views of British business.
  • Greenpeace campaigns on the environment and Liberty campaigns on human rights.

The civil service

  • Civil servants support the government in developing and implementing its policies, and they also deliver public services.
  • Civil servants are accountable to ministers.
  • Civil servants are chosen on merit and are politically neutral; they are not political appointees.
  • People can apply to join the civil service through an application process, like other jobs in the UK.
  • The core values of the civil service are integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality (including being politically neutral).

Local government

  • Towns, cities and rural areas in the UK are governed by democratically elected councils, often called 'local authorities'.
  • Some areas have both district and county councils, which have different functions, while most large towns and cities have a single local authority.
  • Local authorities are funded by money from central government and by local taxes.
  • Many local authorities appoint a mayor, who is the ceremonial leader of the council; in some towns a mayor is elected to be the effective leader of the administration.
  • London has 33 local authorities, with the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London coordinating policies across the capital.
  • For most local authorities, local elections for councillors are held in May every year.

Devolved administrations

  • Since 1997 some powers have been devolved from central government to give people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland more control over matters that directly affect them.
  • There has been a Welsh Assembly (now called the Senedd) and a Scottish Parliament since 1999.
  • There is also a Northern Ireland Assembly, although this has been suspended on a few occasions.
  • Defence, foreign affairs, social security and most taxation remain under central UK government control.
  • Many other public services, such as education, are controlled by the devolved administrations.
  • The devolved administrations each have their own civil servants.
  • The Welsh government and the Senedd are based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales.
  • There are 60 members of the Senedd (MSs), elected every four years using a form of proportional representation.
  • Members of the Senedd can speak in either Welsh or English, and all of the Senedd's publications are in both languages.
  • The Senedd has the power to make laws for Wales in 21 areas, including education and training, health and social services, economic development and housing.
  • Since 2011 the Senedd has been able to pass laws on these topics without the agreement of the UK Parliament.
  • The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999 and sits in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.
  • There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), elected by a form of proportional representation.
  • The Scottish Parliament can pass laws for Scotland on all matters which are not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament, including civil and criminal law, health, education, planning and additional tax-raising powers.
  • A Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922, when Ireland was divided, but it was abolished in 1972, shortly after the Troubles broke out in 1969.
  • The Northern Ireland Assembly was established soon after the Belfast Agreement (or Good Friday Agreement) in 1998.
  • A power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland distributes ministerial offices amongst the main parties.
  • The Northern Ireland Assembly has 90 elected members, known as MLAs (members of the Legislative Assembly), elected with a form of proportional representation.
  • The Northern Ireland Assembly can make decisions on issues such as education, agriculture, the environment, health and social services.
  • The UK government has the power to suspend all devolved assemblies, and has used this power several times in Northern Ireland.

The government (part 2)

The media and government

  • Proceedings in Parliament are broadcast on television and published in official reports called Hansard.
  • Written reports of parliamentary proceedings can be found in large libraries and at www.parliament.uk.
  • Most people get information about political issues and events from newspapers (often called 'the press'), television, radio and the internet.
  • The UK has a free press, which means that what is written in newspapers is free from government control.
  • Some newspaper owners and editors hold strong political opinions and run campaigns to try to influence government policy and public opinion.
  • By law, radio and television coverage of the political parties must be balanced, with equal time given to rival viewpoints.

Who can vote?

  • The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928.
  • The present voting age of 18 was set in 1969.
  • With a few exceptions, all UK-born and naturalised adult citizens have the right to vote.
  • Adult citizens of the UK, and citizens of the Commonwealth and Ireland who are resident in the UK, can vote in all public elections.
  • To vote in a parliamentary or local election, your name must be on the electoral register.
  • You can register to vote by contacting your local council electoral registration office, which in Scotland may be based elsewhere.
  • Entering your postcode at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk tells you which local authority you come under, and voter registration forms can be downloaded in English, Welsh and some other languages.
  • The electoral register is updated every year in September or October.
  • An electoral registration form is sent to every household and must be returned with the names of everyone resident there who is eligible to vote.
  • Northern Ireland uses a different system, called 'individual registration', under which all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form.
  • In Northern Ireland, once registered, people stay on the register provided their personal details do not change; more information is at the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland, www.eoni.org.uk.
  • By law, each local authority has to make its electoral register available for anyone to look at, although this has to be supervised.
  • The register is kept at each local electoral registration office (or council office in England and Wales) and can also be seen at some public buildings such as libraries.

Where to vote

  • People vote at places called polling stations, or polling places in Scotland.
  • Before the election you are sent a poll card, which tells you where your polling station or polling place is and when the election will take place.
  • On election day the polling station or polling place is open from 7.00 am until 10.00 pm.
  • When you arrive at the polling station the staff will ask for your name and address, and then give you your ballot paper.
  • In Northern Ireland you also have to show photographic identification at the polling station.
  • You take your ballot paper to a polling booth to fill in privately, and then put it in the ballot box.
  • You should make up your own mind who to vote for, and no one has the right to make you vote for a particular candidate.
  • If it is difficult for you to get to a polling station or polling place you can register for a postal ballot, which is sent to your home before the election for you to fill in and post back.
  • You can choose to have a postal ballot when you register to vote.

Standing for office

  • Most citizens of the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office.
  • Members of the armed forces, civil servants and people found guilty of certain criminal offences are among the exceptions who may not stand for public office.
  • Members of the House of Lords may not stand for election to the House of Commons, but they are eligible for all other public offices.

Visiting Parliament and the devolved administrations

  • The public can listen to debates in the Palace of Westminster from the public galleries in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
  • You can get in to the public galleries by writing to your local MP in advance to ask for tickets or by queueing on the day at the public entrance, and entrance is free.
  • Queues for the House of Commons can mean waiting at least one or two hours, and it is usually easier to get in to the House of Lords.
  • In Northern Ireland the elected members, known as MLAs, meet in the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, in Belfast.
  • In Scotland the elected members, called MSPs, meet in the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.
  • In Wales the elected members, known as SMs, meet in the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay.

The UK and international institutions / Respecting the law

The Commonwealth

  • The Commonwealth is an association of countries that support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and development.
  • Most Commonwealth member states were once part of the British Empire, although a few countries which were not have also joined.
  • The Queen is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth.
  • The Commonwealth currently has 54 member states, including Canada, Australia, India, Malta, Cyprus, Nigeria, Jamaica and the UK.
  • Membership of the Commonwealth is voluntary.
  • The Commonwealth has no power over its members, although it can suspend membership.
  • The Commonwealth is based on the core values of democracy, good government and the rule of law.

The Council of Europe

  • The Council of Europe has 47 member countries, including the UK.
  • The Council of Europe is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in its member countries.
  • The Council of Europe has no power to make laws, but it draws up conventions and charters.
  • The best-known Council of Europe convention is the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, usually called the European Convention on Human Rights.

The United Nations

  • The UK is part of the United Nations (UN), which has more than 190 countries as members.
  • The UN was set up after the Second World War and aims to prevent war and promote international peace and security.
  • There are 15 members on the UN Security Council, which recommends action when there are international crises and threats to peace.
  • The UK is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

  • The UK is a member of NATO, a group of European and North American countries.
  • NATO members have agreed to help each other if they come under attack.
  • NATO also aims to maintain peace between all of its members.

Respecting the law

  • One of the most important responsibilities of all residents in the UK is to know and obey the law.
  • All residents, regardless of background, are expected to comply with the law, and those who do not respect it should not expect to be allowed to become permanent residents in the UK.

The law in the UK

  • Every person in the UK receives equal treatment under the law, which applies in the same way to everyone no matter who they are or where they are from.
  • Laws can be divided into criminal law and civil law.
  • Criminal law relates to crimes, which are usually investigated by the police or another authority such as a council, and which are punished by the courts.
  • Civil law is used to settle disputes between individuals or groups.
  • It is a criminal offence to carry a weapon of any kind, even for self-defence, including a gun, a knife or anything made or adapted to cause injury.
  • Selling or buying drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis is illegal in the UK.
  • It is a criminal offence to cause harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin.
  • It is illegal to sell tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and roll-up tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.
  • It is against the law to smoke tobacco products in nearly every enclosed public place in the UK, and signs are displayed to tell you where you cannot smoke.
  • It is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 or to buy alcohol for people who are under 18.
  • The one exception is that people aged 16 or over can drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant.
  • Some places have alcohol-free zones where you cannot drink in public; the police can confiscate alcohol or move young people on from public places, and you can be fined or arrested.
  • Housing law is an area of civil law covering disputes between landlords and tenants over issues such as repairs and eviction.
  • Consumer rights is an area of civil law covering disputes about faulty goods or services.
  • Employment law is an area of civil law covering disputes over wages and cases of unfair dismissal or discrimination in the workplace.
  • Debt is an area of civil law, and people might be taken to court if they owe money to someone.

The police and their duties

  • The job of the police is to protect life and property, to prevent disturbances (also known as keeping the peace), and to prevent and detect crime.
  • The police are organised into a number of separate police forces headed by Chief Constables, and they are independent of the government.
  • In November 2012 the public first elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales.
  • PCCs are directly elected individuals responsible for the delivery of an efficient and effective police force that reflects the needs of their local communities.
  • PCCs set local police priorities and the local policing budget, and they appoint the local Chief Constable.
  • Police officers must obey the law themselves, and must not misuse their authority, make a false statement, be rude or abusive, or commit racial discrimination.
  • Police officers who are corrupt or misuse their authority are severely punished.
  • Police community support officers (PCSOs) usually patrol the streets, work with the public, and support police officers at crime scenes and major events.
  • If you are arrested and taken to a police station, a police officer will tell you the reason for your arrest and you will be able to seek legal advice.
  • Anyone can make a complaint about the police by going to a police station or by writing to the Chief Constable of the police force involved.
  • Complaints can also be made to an independent body in England and Wales (www.policeconduct.gov.uk).
  • In Scotland, someone unhappy with the way their complaint was handled can contact the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
  • In Northern Ireland, complaints about the police should be made to the Police Ombudsman's Office.

Terrorism and extremism

  • The most serious terrorist threat facing the UK is from Al Qa'ida, its affiliates and like-minded organisations.
  • The UK also faces threats from other kinds of terrorism, such as Northern Ireland-related terrorism.
  • All terrorist groups try to radicalise and recruit people to their cause, though how, where and to what extent varies.
  • Evidence shows that terrorist groups attract very low levels of public support.
  • Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, and includes religious extremism and far-right extremism.
  • If you think someone is trying to persuade you to join an extremist or terrorist cause, you should notify your local police force.

The role of the courts

The judiciary

  • Judges, who are together called 'the judiciary', are responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring that trials are conducted fairly, and the government cannot interfere with this.
  • If judges agree that the actions of the government are illegal, the government must either change its policies or ask Parliament to change the law.
  • If judges find that a public body is not respecting someone's legal rights, they can order that body to change its practices and/or pay compensation.
  • Judges also make decisions in disputes between members of the public or organisations, about matters such as contracts, property or employment rights, or after an accident.

Criminal courts

  • In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates' Court; in Scotland, minor criminal offences go to a Justice of the Peace Court.
  • Magistrates and Justices of the Peace are members of the local community; in England, Wales and Scotland they usually work unpaid and do not need legal qualifications.
  • Magistrates receive training to do the job and are supported by a legal adviser.
  • Magistrates decide the verdict in each case and, if the person is found guilty, the sentence they are given.
  • In Northern Ireland, minor criminal cases are heard by a District Judge or Deputy District Judge, who is legally qualified and paid.
  • In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, serious offences are tried in front of a judge and a jury in a Crown Court.
  • In Scotland, serious cases are heard in a Sheriff Court with either a sheriff or a sheriff with a jury.
  • The most serious cases in Scotland, such as murder, are heard at a High Court with a judge and jury.
  • A jury is made up of members of the public chosen at random from the local electoral register.
  • A jury has 12 members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 15 members in Scotland.
  • Everyone summoned to do jury service must do it unless they are not eligible (for example because they have a criminal conviction) or give a good reason to be excused, such as ill health.
  • The jury listens to the evidence and decides a verdict of 'guilty' or 'not guilty'; in Scotland a third verdict of 'not proven' is also possible.
  • If the jury finds a defendant guilty, the judge decides on the penalty.
  • In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, an accused person aged 10 to 17 normally has their case heard in a Youth Court in front of up to three specially trained magistrates or a District Judge.
  • The most serious cases involving a young person go to the Crown Court, and the parents or carers of the young person are expected to attend the hearing.
  • Members of the public are not allowed in Youth Courts, and the name or photographs of the accused young person cannot be published in newspapers or used by the media.
  • Scotland uses the Children's Hearings System to deal with children and young people who have committed an offence.
  • Northern Ireland has a system of youth conferencing to consider how a child should be dealt with when they have committed an offence.

Civil courts

  • County Courts deal with civil disputes including recovering money that is owed, personal injury, family matters, breaches of contract and divorce.
  • In Scotland, most of these civil matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court.
  • More serious civil cases, such as those claiming a large amount of compensation, go to the High Court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to the Court of Session in Edinburgh in Scotland.
  • The small claims procedure is an informal way of settling minor disputes without spending a lot of time and money using a lawyer.
  • The small claims procedure is used for claims of less than £10,000 in England and Wales, and less than £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • A small claims hearing is held in front of a judge in an ordinary room, with people from both sides of the dispute sitting around a table.
  • Small claims can also be issued online through Money Claims Online, and details of the procedure come from your local County Court or Sheriff Court.

Legal advice

  • Solicitors are trained lawyers who give advice on legal matters, take action for their clients and represent their clients in court.
  • Citizens Advice can give you names of local solicitors and the areas of law they specialise in, as can the Law Society in England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland and the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
  • Solicitors' charges are usually based on how much time they spend on a case, so it is important to find out at the start how much a case is likely to cost.

Fundamental principles

Fundamental principles

  • British rights and essential freedoms have their roots in Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act and the Bill of Rights of 1689.
  • British diplomats and lawyers had an important role in drafting the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
  • The UK was one of the first countries to sign the European Convention on Human Rights, in 1950.
  • The principles included in the European Convention on Human Rights are the right to life, prohibition of torture, prohibition of slavery and forced labour, right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom of expression (speech).
  • The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
  • The government, public bodies and the courts must follow the principles of the Convention.

Equal opportunities

  • UK laws ensure that people are not treated unfairly in any area of life or work because of their age, disability, sex, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexuality or marital status.
  • Anyone facing problems with discrimination can get more information from Citizens Advice.
  • In England and Wales, discrimination is dealt with by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
  • In Scotland, the bodies are the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland and the Scottish Human Rights Commission.
  • In Northern Ireland, the bodies are the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Domestic violence

  • Brutality and violence in the home is a serious crime in the UK.
  • Anyone who is violent towards their partner can be prosecuted, whether they are a man or a woman and whether they are married or living together.
  • Any man who forces a woman to have sex, including a woman's husband, can be charged with rape.
  • A solicitor or Citizens Advice can explain the options available to someone facing domestic violence.
  • In some areas there are safe places to go and stay in, called refuges or shelters.
  • The National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
  • The helpline's voicemail service allows callers to leave a message to be called back.
  • In an emergency you should always call the police, who can also help you to find a safe place to stay.

Female genital mutilation

  • Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as cutting or female circumcision, is illegal in the UK.
  • Practising FGM, or taking a girl or woman abroad for FGM, is a criminal offence.

Forced marriage

  • A marriage should be entered into with the full and free consent of both people involved.
  • Arranged marriages, where both parties agree to the marriage, are acceptable in the UK.
  • Forced marriage is where one or both parties do not or cannot give their consent to enter into the partnership.
  • Forcing another person to marry is a criminal offence.
  • Forced Marriage Protection Orders were introduced in 2008 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.
  • Court orders can be obtained to protect a person from being forced into a marriage, or to protect a person already in a forced marriage.
  • Similar Protection Orders were introduced in Scotland in November 2011.
  • A potential victim, or someone acting for them, can apply for an order.
  • Anyone found to have breached an order can be jailed for up to two years for contempt of court.

Taxation

Income tax

  • Income tax is paid on wages from paid employment, profits from self-employment, taxable benefits, pensions, and income from property, savings and dividends.
  • Money raised from income tax pays for government services such as roads, education, the police and the armed forces.
  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the government department that collects taxes.
  • For most people the right amount of income tax is taken from their pay by their employer and paid directly to HMRC, under a system called 'Pay As You Earn' (PAYE).
  • Self-employed people pay their own tax through 'self-assessment', which includes completing a tax return; other people may also need to complete one.
  • If HMRC sends you a tax return, you should complete and return it as soon as you have all the necessary information.

National Insurance

  • Almost everybody in the UK who is in paid work, including self-employed people, must pay National Insurance Contributions.
  • Money raised from National Insurance Contributions pays for state benefits and services such as the state retirement pension and the National Health Service.
  • Employees have their National Insurance Contributions deducted from their pay by their employer, while self-employed people pay their contributions themselves.
  • Anyone who does not pay enough National Insurance Contributions will not receive certain contributory benefits, such as Jobseeker's Allowance or a full state retirement pension.
  • Some workers, such as part-time workers, may not qualify for statutory payments such as maternity pay if they do not earn enough.

Getting a National Insurance number

  • A National Insurance number is a unique personal account number that makes sure the National Insurance Contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded against your name.
  • All young people in the UK are sent a National Insurance number just before their 16th birthday.
  • A non-UK national living in the UK who is looking for work, starting work or setting up as self-employed will need a National Insurance number, but you can start work without one.
  • If you have permission to work in the UK, you apply by telephoning the National Insurance number application line.
  • After you have applied, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) sends you a letter asking you to come to a National Insurance number interview at Jobcentre Plus.
  • The letter also tells you which documents to bring to the interview to prove your identity.

Driving / Your role in the community

Driving

  • You must be at least 17 years old to drive a car or motor cycle in the UK, and you must have a driving licence to drive on public roads.
  • To get a UK driving licence you must pass a driving test, which tests both your knowledge and your practical skills.
  • You need to be at least 16 years old to ride a moped; there are other age requirements and special tests for driving large vehicles.
  • Drivers can use their driving licence until they are 70 years old, after which it is valid for three years at a time.
  • In Northern Ireland, a newly qualified driver must display an 'R' plate (for restricted driver) for one year after passing the test.
  • A driving licence from another country may be used in the UK for up to 12 months; to continue driving after that you must get a UK full driving licence.
  • If you are resident in the UK, your car or motor cycle must be registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
  • You must pay an annual vehicle tax, which cannot be passed on when a vehicle changes hands.
  • If a vehicle is parked off the road and not being used, you must tell DVLA by making a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), which cannot be transferred if the vehicle is sold or given to a new owner.
  • You must have valid motor insurance; it is a serious criminal offence to drive without insurance.
  • A vehicle over three years old must be taken for a Ministry of Transport (MOT) test every year, and it is an offence not to have an MOT certificate.

Values and responsibilities

  • The shared values and responsibilities everyone can agree with are: to obey and respect the law; to be aware of the rights of others and respect those rights; to treat others with fairness; to behave responsibly; to help and protect your family; to respect and preserve the environment; to treat everyone equally, regardless of sex, race, religion, age, disability, class or sexual orientation; to work to provide for yourself and your family; to help others; and to vote in local and national government elections.
  • Taking on these values and responsibilities makes it easier to become a full and active citizen.

Being a good neighbour

  • When you move into a new house or apartment, introduce yourself to the people who live near you; getting to know your neighbours helps you become part of the community and make friends.
  • Neighbours are a good source of help: they may be willing to feed your pets if you are away, or offer advice on local shops and services.
  • You can prevent problems and conflicts with neighbours by respecting their privacy and limiting how much noise you make.
  • Keep your garden tidy, and only put your refuse bags and bins on the street or in communal areas if they are due to be collected.

Getting involved in local activities

  • Volunteering and helping your community are an important part of being a good citizen, and enable you to integrate and get to know other people.
  • Supporting each other makes a community a better place, and helps you fulfil duties such as behaving responsibly and helping others.

How you can support your community / Looking after the environment

Jury service

  • People on the electoral register are randomly selected to serve on a jury.
  • Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 to 70 can be asked to do jury service; in England and Wales the range is 18 to 75.

Helping in schools

  • Parents can often help in their children's classrooms, for example by supporting activities or listening to children read.
  • Schools raise money for extra equipment and out-of-school activities with events such as book sales, toy sales or bringing food to sell.
  • Fundraising events are sometimes organised by parent-teacher associations (PTAs), which you can join or help.
  • School governors are people from the local community who want to make a positive contribution to children's education.
  • School governors must be aged 18 or over at the date of their election or appointment, and there is no upper age limit.
  • Governors have three key roles: setting the strategic direction of the school, ensuring accountability, and monitoring and evaluating school performance.
  • In England you can apply to be a governor online at the Governors for Schools website.
  • In England, parents and other community groups can apply to open a free school in their local area.

Supporting political parties

  • Political parties welcome new members, and are particularly busy at election times.
  • Handing out leaflets in the street or knocking on doors to ask for support is called 'canvassing'.
  • You do not have to tell a canvasser how you intend to vote if you do not want to.
  • British citizens can stand for office as a local councillor or member of Parliament, or the devolved equivalents.
  • Irish citizens and eligible Commonwealth citizens may also be able to stand for office.

Helping with local services

  • You can volunteer with local service providers including local hospitals and youth projects.
  • Universities, housing associations, museums and arts councils may advertise for people to serve as volunteers in their governing bodies.
  • You can volunteer with the police as a special constable or as a lay (non-police) representative, and you can apply to become a magistrate.
  • Vacancies for these roles are often advertised in local newspapers or on local radio, and details are on www.gov.uk.

Blood and organ donation

  • Donated blood is used by hospitals to help people with a wide range of injuries and illnesses, and giving blood only takes about an hour.
  • Registering as an organ donor can make it easier for your family to decide whether to donate your organs when you die.
  • Living people can donate a kidney.

Other ways to volunteer

  • Volunteering is working for good causes without payment.
  • Volunteering can give you a chance to practise your English and develop work skills that help you find a job or improve your curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Volunteer activities include working with animals, youth work, improving the environment, working with the homeless, mentoring someone who has just come out of prison, work in health and hospitals, and helping older people.
  • There are thousands of active charities and voluntary organisations in the UK, from British branches of international organisations such as the British Red Cross to small local charities.
  • Age UK works with older people, the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) with children, and Crisis and Shelter with the homeless.
  • Cancer Research UK is a medical research charity, the National Trust and Friends of the Earth are environmental charities, and the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) works with animals.
  • The National Citizen Service programme gives 16- and 17-year-olds the chance to enjoy outdoor activities, develop their skills and take part in a community project.

Looking after the environment

  • Using recycled materials to make new products uses less energy and means fewer raw materials have to be extracted from the earth.
  • Recycling means less rubbish is created, so the amount put into landfill is reduced.
  • Shopping for products locally helps businesses and farmers in your area and in Britain, and reduces your carbon footprint because the products have not travelled as far.
  • Walking and using public transport creates less pollution than using a car.