How do Parliament and government work in the UK?
The structure of Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords), the difference between Parliament and government, the roles of MPs, peers and the Prime Minister, how laws are made, and how Parliament holds the government to account.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on Parliament and government: the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the difference between Parliament and government, the roles of MPs, peers and the Prime Minister, how laws are made, and how Parliament scrutinises the government.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain how Parliament is made up, how it differs from the government, what MPs, peers and the Prime Minister do, how laws are made, and how Parliament keeps the government in check. This is core Section 2 content and is examined through knowledge questions on the Houses and roles and through "Explain" and "Evaluate" questions on scrutiny and accountability.
Parliament and government are not the same
This distinction is a favourite exam point. Parliament makes and scrutinises laws; the government proposes most laws and runs the country, but it must answer to Parliament. Keeping the two apart in your answer signals real understanding.
The two Houses and the key roles
How laws are made and how government is held to account
A new law begins as a Bill, usually introduced by the government. It passes through readings, committee scrutiny and debate in both the Commons and the Lords, both of which must agree the text, before it receives Royal Assent and becomes an Act of Parliament.
OCR rewards explaining why scrutiny matters: it makes the government justify its decisions, exposes mistakes and protects citizens by stopping unchecked power.
Try this
Q1. Which House of Parliament is made up of elected MPs? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The House of Commons.
Q2. Explain one way Parliament holds the government to account. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Through select committees: cross-party groups of MPs investigate government departments, take evidence and publish reports that expose problems and recommend changes.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J270 20182 marksIdentify the two Houses of Parliament.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (2 marks, 1 mark each). Reward both Houses named correctly.
The two Houses are the House of Commons (made up of elected MPs) and the House of Lords (made up of unelected peers, including life peers and some bishops).
Top marks. Both Houses named. A common error is to name "the government" or "the Cabinet" as a House; these are part of the executive, not a House of Parliament.
OCR J270 20218 marksExplain how Parliament holds the government to account.Show worked answer →
An extended "Explain" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Reward developed methods, each explained.
Method one (questioning). MPs question ministers, including the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Questions each week, forcing the government to explain and defend its decisions in public.
Method two (committees). Select committees of MPs investigate the work of government departments, take evidence and publish reports that expose problems and recommend changes.
Method three (debates and votes). Parliament debates and votes on government policy and laws; the House of Lords can scrutinise and delay legislation, and ultimately a vote of no confidence in the Commons can bring down a government.
Top band. Three developed methods (questions, committees, debates and votes), with a judgement on which is the most effective check.
Related dot points
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A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on the British constitution: what a constitution is, why the UK's is uncodified, its main sources, the difference between democracy and other systems, and the principles of parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers.
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A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on elections and voting systems: who can vote, how general elections work, first-past-the-post and its advantages and disadvantages, other voting systems used in the UK, the role of political parties, and the importance of voter turnout.
- How the government raises money through taxation, the main types of tax, how the Budget and public spending work, where public money is spent, and the debates over how much should be taxed and spent.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on taxation and public spending: how the government raises money through tax, the main types of tax, how the Budget and public spending work, where public money goes, and the debates over the level of tax and spending.
- The ways citizens can participate in democracy beyond voting, including standing for office, joining parties and pressure groups, petitions, campaigning, lobbying and the role of trade unions, and the factors that affect how much people participate.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Citizenship Studies J270 specification — OCR (2016)
- How Parliament works — UK Parliament (2023)