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Year 11

How can I take part in the democratic process? The role of select committees

I can explain what a select committee is and how to get involved.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11

How can I take part in the democratic process? The role of select committees

I can explain what a select committee is and how to get involved.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Select committees scrutinise government policies to ensure accountability.
  2. Select committees gather evidence, question ministers and preduce reports.
  3. Citizens can participate by submitting evidence or attending public consultations.

Keywords

  • Select committees - a group of members of a legislative body chosen to investigate and report on specific issues or topics

  • Government - the group of people with the authority to govern a country; in the UK, the Government is chosen and led by the Prime Minister (PM)

Common misconception

Only Members of Parliament (MPs) can be part of select committees.

The public can contribute to select committees by submitting evidence or attending public consultations.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How can I take part in the democratic process? The role of select committees, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Allow pupils to research current inquiries to depeen their understanding of how select committees operate and the issues they address.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are the three branches of separation in the UK called?
the legislative, executive and monarchy
the executive, judiciary and monarchy
the monarchy, judiciary and legisaltive
Correct answer: the executive, judiciary and legislative
Q2.
Match the branch to its definition.
Correct Answer:executive,the branch of government responsible for putting laws into effect

the branch of government responsible for putting laws into effect

Correct Answer:judiciary,the branch of the state that is responsible for enforcing the law

the branch of the state that is responsible for enforcing the law

Correct Answer:legislative,the law-making body of the state

the law-making body of the state

Q3.
The legislative branch has a bicameral system. What does this mean?
The legislative branch is made up of one chamber.
Correct answer: The legislative branch is made up of two chambers.
The legislative branch is made up of three chambers.
The legislative branch is made up of four chambers.
Q4.
What is this describing? The transfer of political powers from a central government or Parliament to a national, regional or local government or Parliament.
Correct Answer: devolution
Q5.
Which of these statements is a reason why there is a separation of powers in the UK?
to ensure one branch of government has full control over decision-making
Correct answer: to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
to allow the Government to work without any checks and balances
to allow one branch to override the other branches decisions
Q6.
Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK are representatives who serve in the House of Commons.
Correct Answer: elected

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the terms to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:select committees,a group chosen to investigate and report on specific issues

a group chosen to investigate and report on specific issues

Correct Answer:the Government,the people who have the authority to govern the country

the people who have the authority to govern the country

Correct Answer:ministers,a group of MPs in charge of specific areas, e.g. health

a group of MPs in charge of specific areas, e.g. health

Q2.
Select committees help to hold the to account by scrutinising its policies and actions.
Correct Answer: Government
Q3.
What is the purpose of select committees in the UK?
to run general elections
to create new laws
Correct answer: to investigate and report on issues with government policies
to choose the new Prime Minister
Q4.
Can only MPs be part of select committees?
Yes, only MPs can be members of select committees.
Correct answer: No, the public can also submit evidence or attend consultations.
Only ministers and MPs can join select committees.
No, but only peers can take part with MPs.
Q5.
Some of the ways citizens can participate in select committees include submitting or attending public consultations.
Correct Answer: evidence, written evidence, relevant evidence
Q6.
Does the Government have to implement the recommendations from select committee reports?
Yes, the Government must implement them over time.
No, the Government can ignore them without explanation.
Correct answer: No, but the Government must aim to provide a response within two months.
Yes, the Government has to implement all of them immediately.