Parliament, government and holding power to account
Learners often confuse Parliament with government. Separating them is the single most useful thing you can do before the exam.
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Explain how democracy, elections and government work in the UK, including devolution.
Key learning points
- • Parliament and government are not the same
- • How a law is made
- • Scrutiny in practice
- • Devolution
This lesson at a glance
- 30 minutes
- 21 parts to scroll through
- 4 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 21
Visual introductionPicture this
Parliament, government and holding power to account
Learners often confuse Parliament with government. Separating them is the single most useful thing you can do before the exam.
In a nutshell
Explain how democracy, elections and government work in the UK, including devolution.
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 21
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Parliament and government are not the same
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 21
Learn
Parliament and government are not the same
Parliament is the legislature: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch. Government is the executive: the Prime Minister and ministers, drawn from Parliament, who run departments and propose policy. Parliament scrutinises government; government is accountable to Parliament.
Reset break
Part 4 of 21
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 21
Learn
How a law is made
A bill has a first reading, second reading and debate, committee stage, report stage and third reading in the Commons, then the same in the Lords, then royal assent. The Lords can delay and amend but cannot indefinitely block a bill from the elected chamber.
Quick check
Part 6 of 21
Quick check
Part 7 of 21
Reset break
Part 8 of 21
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 21
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Scrutiny in practice
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 21
Learn
Scrutiny in practice
Ministers face questions and debates, select committees investigate departments and publish reports, the Opposition challenges policy, and the media and courts add external accountability. Judicial review allows courts to check whether a minister has acted within the law.
Explore the idea
Part 11 of 21
Learn
Devolution
Powers over areas such as health, education and transport are devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while defence, foreign policy and most taxation remain reserved to Westminster. Local government delivers services within powers set by Parliament.
Reset break
Part 12 of 21
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 21
Quick check
Part 14 of 21
Explore the idea
Part 15 of 21
Worked example
Model answer: 'Explain how Parliament holds the government to account' (6 marks)
Parliament scrutinises the executive through questioning: ministers answer oral and written questions, and the Prime Minister faces weekly questions in the Commons, which forces public justification of policy. Select committees add sustained scrutiny, because cross-party members take evidence from ministers and civil servants and publish reports the government must respond to. Debates and votes on legislation allow Parliament to amend or defeat proposals, and because a government needs Commons support to govern, the threat of losing a vote shapes policy before it is even introduced.
Reset break
Part 16 of 21
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 17 of 21
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 18 of 21
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
____ is the legislature: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch.
____ is the executive: the Prime Minister and ministers, drawn from Parliament, who run departments and propose policy.
Challenge round
Part 19 of 21
Game · Recall cards
Which body is the executive?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 20 of 21
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Parliament, government and holding power to account
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which body is the executive?
2. What is the final stage before a bill becomes law?
3. What is the main power of a select committee?
4. Which power is reserved to Westminster rather than devolved?
Lesson round-up
Part 21 of 21
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Points this lesson
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Luna: 0 out of 4 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 21 · Watch & discover