SAMPLE PAPER 1 NCTJ PUBLIC AFFAIRS EXAM WITH ANSWERS #9
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 deno
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.
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,SAMPLE PAPER 1 NCTJ PUBLIC AFFAIRS EXAM WITH ANSWERS #9
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
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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 deno
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.
1/
7
,SAMPLE PAPER 1 NCTJ PUBLIC AFFAIRS EXAM WITH ANSWERS #9
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
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7
