Download NCTJ Public Affairs Exam Sample Paper with Answers - Prof. Shawn and more Exams Public Law in PDF only on Docsity!
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1. What is the key role of a whip?: The key role of a whip is to enforce party discipline and that all members of the party
are voting in accordance with the party's political ideology and policies. The whip's role is 'talent spotting' from the backbenchers. A party whip ensures that MP's vote in accordance with the parties policies rather than their own individual ideology, as if not issues would arise such as the Three line Whip (a written notice, underlined three times to denote urgency to members of the political party) and the whip publication.
2. What are the stages of a Bill before it becomes Law in Parliament?: 1. First Reading-
formally launches the Bill
2. Second Reading- first proper debate - on the principles of the Bill
3. Committee Stage- detailed scrutiny of the Bill usually by a committee of MPs
4. Report Stage and Third Reading- final chance to debate the contents of a Bill.
5. The Bill is then sent to the other House- (House of Lords if it started in the Commons) where it goes through similar stages.
6. Before the final stage of Royal Assent.
Also note that the House of Lords does not debate all Bills (i.e. money Bills) and that the Royal Assent is a formality. There are ditterent types of papers: The white paper is issued by the government as statements of policy, and proposes legislative changes. Some white papers also invite comments. Green papers are set out for discussion, which are still at a formative stage.
3. What is a backbench MP? And their responsibilities?: A backbench MP is neither a member of government or a
Shadow front bench there key roles are representation, legacy, scrutiny and debate.
4. What is a FOI request and what is it's purpose?: The Act allows for the scrutiny of public bodies and investigative
journalism by giving the public and the media the chance to access information from over 100,000 public bodies.
2 / The request should be in writing either an email or a letter outlining the information that wants to be requested and the individual requesting it. A response should be made in 20 working days. The main groups of refusal are absolute and qualified exemptions. Absolute exemptions is that there is no public interest in the matter and qualified exemptions is when a public body has to assess the reasons for and against the disclosure of the information. Vexatious/repetitive or expensive costs can also be denied however some public bodies may ask for some additional costs such as printing to get the information requested. If an FOI request is denied it can be appealed first to the public body and then to the Information Commissioner.
5. What is the purpose of a referendum?: A referendum is a national or regional vote open to all electoral registered voters
normally on an issue of constitutional importance that will often just require a simple yes or no answer. Referendums are not legally binding as such but are often used as a lever to change the law. Examples of UK referendum prior to the 2016 EU referendum is on Scottish independence in 2014 and the devolution of Scotland.
6. What are some issues with the referendum and brexit?: issues of closeness to the results
e.g 48% v 52% and the issue that is representing the will of the people. Referendums are not legally binding Implication of no deal trade arrangement Should there be future referendums on the impact brexit will make? What brexit will mean for the UK and the breaking up of the unions as Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain.
7. Whats the difference between revenue and capital expenditure?: Revenue expen- diture is for items that
last less than 1 year such as heating etc. Capital expenditure is spent on long-term durable assets such as buildings and a fleet of veichles.
8. Explain the council tax system and purpose?: Council tax is a tax paid by homeowners living in a property and is
based on their income. It is based on two adults living in one household- there is one bill per household. It is calculated through a banding system of A to H in England. With A being the lowest band and H being the highest. This dates back to 1991 and there has been no revolution in England since. The average band is D. The
4 / Education academic (questions about the issues on the ettectiveness of 'patchwork' state education system)
12. Identify and briefly explain the three key different structures of local govern- ment across
England and Wales.: 1. Two tier structure (in England only) is where a country council and a number of district/ borough councils are separately elected, funded and develop their own policy and make their own financial decisions. They may be under the political control of ditterent parties but they are obliged to work in some areas of joint service while other services are divided into the ditterent tiers.
2. Unitary single tier structure they are all purpose councils and provide the majority of local services.
3. Hybrid structure: a mixture of single and two tier authority existing in one county area.
13. What is a combined authority? Briefly outline the nature and extent of the devolved powers
available to them.: Combined authority is a form of super council that enables councils to collaborate and take decisions across council boundaries. Combined authority can take on significant powers and resources developed by the national government. They are expected to adopt directly elected mayors, with enhanced powers that also encompass the police governance role fulfilled in other areas by police and crime commissioners. Examples may include the West Midlands or Greater Manchester.
14. List FIVE advantages or disadvantages of the unitary council structure (five in total).: 1.
Economies of scale
2. Transparency
3. One size doesn't necessarily fit all
4. Loss of tailored services/local connection (in two- tier systems)
5. Cost eflciency.
15. Explain the role of adult social services in offering care to the elderly, includ- ing the
services that might be provided, and indicate which local authorities
5 / are responsible for providing these services.: The county council's two tier system is responsible for the role of adult social services and unitary systems in single tier areas. They are responsible for providing a health care package for elderly who meet the criteria/means test. Care packages may include care home places or support them in the community such as careworks, home aids and adaptations, meals on wheels, transportation etc.
16. Briefly explain the role of the Care Quality Commission and its remit.: The Care
Quality Commissioner is an independent regulatory body which monitors and inspects all aspects of the healthcare system and the care provided including all the social care services in england. It publishes its findings and performance ratings. Their responsibilities include ensuring that the correct care is provided by all hospitals, dentists, ambulance services, care homes and services in people's own homes and elsewhere, meeting the government's standards of quality of safety.
17. List FIVE possible questions you could put to the local authority cabinet member
responsible for health and social care in relation to the funding and provision of services.: 1. Have the cuts in funding from the central government under austerity impacted on the provision of adult social care?
2. In light of the whistle blowing will the council be diverting more funds to adult social care?
3. What will be the impact of that to other services, where the model for funding social care needs to be reformed?
4. Where has the cut on funding in adult health care services provided additional funding within the health sector?
5. How will you provide the right care for this sector with less funding?
18. Which authorities are responsible for processing a planning application and list the main
stages it has to go through and their additional outcomes:: Dis- trict/borough, unitary and London borough councils are responsible for the planning permission applications.
1. Submission of the plan to the council
2. Council consultation
3. Publication to the planning register
7 / The Sovereign Grant is set at a set interest of 15% of the net income from the Crown Estate.
24. Outline the difference between contributory and non-contributory
benefits with an example of each.: Contributory benefits which are accessed by the National Insurance Scheme which includes the state pension. Non-contributory benefits are based on net-income and needs, they are not reliant on National Insurance contributions and are often based on a means test which takes into account savings and earnings. Examples include income support, housing benefit and council tax support.
25. Outline what rights as a member of the media you have to attend a council committee
meeting where funding for these services is being discussed.: The media and the public has the right to attend council meetings, subcommittee and committee meetings of principal local authorities. But will be excluded if the item to be discussed is either confidential or exempt.
26. List the key roles and powers of PCCs.: The PCCs role and powers agree with police plans, appoint and dismiss
the chief constable, holding the chief constable to account and agreeing precepts and budgets.
27. Outline the key roles and composition of a Clinical Commissioning
Group (CCG).: Clinical Commissioning Groups are overseen by the NHS England, are clinically-led by GP's and local clinicians and are responsible for the planning and commissioning of health care services for their local area, including holding the NHS contracts for GP practices.
