Lea a az i g fac s! Discove he UK Pa lia e ! What is the UK What happens Parliament? at an election? What is the House of Commons?

What is the ? Why do we need laws?

Find out how you can get involved with the UK Parliament. Come on in. We’ll be your guides. Welco e o he UK Pa lia e !

Ever wondered what MPs or members of the House of Journey through time Let’s have a look Lords do? Well, you can find to explore the history around and find out out about their work and see of the UK Parliament about the people how they help to make laws. and discover how the who work in the building has survived UK Parliament. fire, war and a secret plot to blow it up!

Dev Emma Jess

CONTENTS page page What is the UK Parliament? 2 Around the Houses 14 History of the UK Parliament 4 board game Elections and voting 6 Who’s who in the 16 What is the UK Government? 8 House of Lords? www.parliament.uk/education Who’s who in the 10 Why do we need laws? 20 © Parliamentary Copyright 2017 House of Commons? How can I get involved? 24 What do I know? 26 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, Glossary 28 no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of UK Parliament. Once you have found out about First published 2017 this amazing place and the A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library people who work here, decide

ISBN 978-0-995-79051-3 how you can get involved with your UK Parliament!

1 Wh s a i he There are 650 MPs The House of Co o s in the House of In the House of Commons Commons. UK Pa lia e ? Chamber, important topics are debated and laws are Schools, hospitals, the environment … lots of discussed. It’s here that things that affect our lives are discussed and Let’s find out Members of Parliament decided in Parliament. But what is Parliament? about the (MPs) can challenge the different parts The UK Parliament is made up of three parts: work of the Government. of the UK the House of Commons, the House of Lords Each MP represents Parliament. and the King or Queen – known as the Monarch. a different area of the United Kingdom, called a constituency.

MPs are voted for by people in a general election.

Parliament (noun) Did you The UK Parliament is made up of three ? parts: the House of Commons, the House k ow The Mo a ch of Lords and the Monarch. The third part of the UK origin The word ‘parliament’ comes from Parliament is the Monarch (King the French word parler which means or Queen). This role is mainly ‘to speak’ and from the Middle English ceremonial these days. The word parley, which means to hold a Monarch meets the Prime conference to discuss opposing views. A hawk is used to Minister once a week to scare pigeons away hear what’s going on in from the Houses Parliament, signs The House of Lo ds of Parliament There are about 800 members of the House of Lords. Most any new laws as their poo are called ‘life peers’, because they are given membership for and attends the damages the their lifetime. Their titles are not passed on to their children. State Opening building! They are chosen for their knowledge and experience, so they of Parliament A ‘parliament’ is also the name for a every year. group of owls. can use their special skills to look carefully at new laws.

2 3 His o y of he UK Pa lia e

1097–99 Westminster Hall is built. It still stands as part of the UK Parliament today.

1914–18 1870 1872 1ST WORLD WAR New Palace Voting in 1859 of Westminster secret is 1215 is completed. introduced. Magna Carta – this Big Ben chimes for the first time. document ensures, for the 1918–28 first time, that no one 1834 Women get the vote. is above the law, not even Fire destroys the Monarch. most of the Palace of 1919 Westminster. First female MP to take a seat, Nancy Astor. 1992 First female Speaker of the House of Commons, 1939–45 2ND WORLD WAR 1832 . Great Reform Act 1958 makes voting in Women are allowed to become elections fairer, members of the House of Lords. but only for men. 1689 1998 1605 Bill of Rights limits Devolution How do you think 5th November the powers of the – some powers Parliament might Gunpowder Plot – Guy Monarch and sets the transferred to change in the future? Fawkes and several terms for elections, the Scottish others plan to blow up free speech and the Parliament, the King James in the rights of the people. National Assembly House of Lords. for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly. 1642–49 1653 ENGLISH CIVIL WAR After King Charles I is 1647 overthrown and Putney Debates – people begin sentenced to death, 2006 What will happen next? to meet and openly talk about Oliver Cromwell The House of every man getting a vote. becomes Lord Protector. Lords elects its first , Baroness Hayman.

4 5 Vote for me, Vote for me, I’ll make sure our Most MPs belong I’ll encourage local hospital has enough doctors. to a political party, Elec io s a d vo i g more people a group of people to recycle. who have similar ideas In the UK, we live in a democracy. This about how they want means people can have a say in how the to run the UK. Before an country is run by voting in elections. election, they will try to persuade people to vote for them by explaining The UK has over 64 million why they think their people living in it and everyone ideas are the best. has different ideas about how they think the UK should be Vote for me, I’ll make it the law that run. To make sure everyone cars have to drive slowly near schools. can have a say, we elect MPs to represent our ideas and opinions in Parliament. WHAT HAPPENS ACTIVITY You mark an X next to the name of the AT AN ELECTION? Imagine you are running person you are voting for election as an MP. for on a ballot paper. General elections usually take place every How would you five years. People who are 18 or over have persuade people x the chance to vote to choose their local MP. to vote for you? They do this by going to a polling station and choosing from a list of people who want to be Research an elected. If somebody finds it difficult to get to issue that is democracy (noun) a polling station, they can vote by post instead. important to The person with the most votes in each area you and write The word ‘democracy’ comes origin which (called a constituency) becomes an MP. The about it in from the Greek words demos elected MP represents the people from that the rosette. means ‘people’ and kratos area in the House of Commons. which means ‘rule’. Have you ever been to vote with someone from your family?

6 7 Wha is he UK The P i e Mi is e The Prime Minister is the head of the Government. His or her job is a bit like your headteacher’s. At your school, the headteacher Gove e ? manages a team of people who help to make sure your school works well. The Government is in charge of running the UK. The The Prime Minister has a similar job. If you were Prime Minister Prime Minister chooses a team of MPs and members what would you do? of the House of Lords to help him or her do this. He or she manages a team of ministers who help run the country. Different ministers are responsible for different The UK usually holds a general election things like transport, education or every five years. the environment. There are ministers for each department in the House of After the election, the party with the most Commons and the House of Lords. MPs can then form the Government. Every week, the Prime Minister comes The leader of the winning party becomes to the House of Commons for half an the Prime Minister and chooses a team hour to answer questions from MPs of MPs and members of the House of about the work of the Government. Lords to form the Government. The Prime Minister lives MPs and members of the House of Lords ACTIVITY who are not part of the winning party and works at Number 10 become the Opposition. They check Downing Street in London. Prime Minister and challenge the ideas of the Government through debates and questions. What qualities do you think a person needs to make If no one party wins the election a good Prime Minister? Write your ideas here: Did it is called a ‘’. If ou this happens, two or more parties y might agree to join together to ow? k form a government.

So, the Government’s job is to run the country.

Yes, and Parliament’s job is to check and challenge what the Government does to make sure it is working well for everybody.

8 9 ACTIVITY Re: Responsible pet owners Who’s ho Dear MP, w … MPs often use I have been finding out about how to look after email to keep pets and how some people mistreat animals. i he House of Co o s in contact with How can we make sure all pet owners follow ? the people they laws that protect animals? represent and The House of Commons may be beautiful and historic, but to find out Re: Less waste it’s the people who work there that make it such a vibrant their views. Dear MP, and active place. They work hard so we have laws that Our school’s eco-council makes sure we recycle protect us and to make sure the UK is a fair place to live. or compost most of our waste. How can we help our wider community to do the same?

Let’s find out who these people are and how they help us. What important Re: Girls and boys are equal issue would Dear MP, you email your I have been learning about how girls in some MP about? countries are not allowed to go to school. I do MPs not think this is fair. How can I help change this? A member of the House of Commons is called an MP, which is short for Member of Parliament. Write your idea An MP has the important job of representing for an email to people from their local area in Parliament. your MP here:

It is an MP’s job to What do MPs do … … in their local area? … in the House of Commons? represent all the Did people in his or her MPs work both at the House of If you are an MP and not a government minister, ou constituency, even Commons and in their constituency. you are called a backbencher because you aren’t y ? if they didn’t vote sitting on the front bench, even if you belong to k ow MPs hold ‘surgeries’ where they meet for him or her. people from their constituency who might the same political party as the Government. have a problem, need help or want the MP The job of backbenchers is to challenge the Are all MPs part of the Government? to do something for them. Surgeries can Government to make sure it is doing a good take place in local libraries, community job. They do this through asking questions halls and even sports centres. about how the Government is working. No, some are, but most aren’t. Only the Prime MPs who are not part of the governing Minister and a team party are called the Opposition. They sit of ministers form the on the benches opposite the Government in Government. Every week MPs get lots of emails, the House of Commons. There are usually phone calls and letters. They try to MPs from lots of different political parties answer every one and have researchers on the opposition benches and some who and caseworkers to help them. are not part of any political party.

10 11 O he jobs i he House of co o s Wha does he House of Co o s look like? There are some interesting jobs in the House of Commons and some of them have very unusual names. Press gallery This is the House of Commons Chamber. This is where the You can come and visit the House of Speaker journalists sit. Commons and watch what is happening They write reports from the public gallery! The Speaker sits at the head of the for newspapers, Chamber and is responsible for making TV and radio about sure the MPs are polite and fair. Debates the speeches and in the House of Commons can get really debates. Speaker’s chair noisy. The Speaker makes sure MPs get the opportunity to represent different opinions and has the job of keeping order. MPs cannot contribute to debates unless de ! de ! Clerks’ table the Speaker calls them by name. MPs O O stand up to catch the Speaker’s eye to In the past, the Speaker had to remain in the get a turn to speak. GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION Speaker’s chair at all Clerks times. So, if they needed the toilet they had to Serjeant at Arms’ seat Clerks have specialist knowledge go in the Chamber! The about how Parliament works. They Speaker would use a sit at the table in front of the Speaker. pot kept under the chair

and a curtain was drawn Front bench Around the Houses game rules around. The MPs would The front bench is where Serjeant at Arms You will need: a dice; a counter for each player. wave their papers and the Prime Minister The Serjeant at Arms carries the mace make noises to drown and other government ministers sit. 1 Before you begin, each player must roll the into the Chamber at the start of each out any sound! dice to find out where to start. day. This ancient job dates back to 1415. 2 Players must roll a 6 to begin play. The Serjeant is the only person allowed The mace represents the to carry a sword in Parliament. Monarch in the House of 3 Move around the board following Commons. It has to be in the instructions. the Chamber before the 4 If you land on a portcullis, have an Not everyone who has What a MPs can start a debate. extra go. a cool job in the House tail-waggingly of Commons is human! 5 The first player to reach great job! Central Lobby wins the This furry friend also has Did game! an important job. Sniffer you dogs search the Chamber to ? Before you play, check out k ow keep MPs safe from harm. what members of the House of Lords do on pages 16–19! 12 13 If you throw an even number you start in the House of Commons. If you throw an odd number you start in the House of Lords. A ou d he HoUses You meet a school group to You are planning 25 6 5 4 talk about the House of 2 1 24 to speak during Lords. Go to a debate. Miss 27 You 7 square 5 START have a a go to prepare to greet To start you must roll constituency your speech. them. a 6 to be nominated surgery. Dash 28 as a . to square 25 to catch your train. You are interviewed live HOUSE OF LORDS on the radio. 22 Move forward You have lots of emails 29 1 square. and letters to reply to. Go back 3 spaces 30 10 11 to your office to 32 31 9 33 12 13 answer them. 21 15 You have lots of 16 emails and letters There’s an 46 47 39 38 to reply to. Go important 40 17 back 2 spaces debate in 20 45 49 Meet You make to your office to the Chamber. people a change to a answer them. Go back to campaigning draft law (Bill). 18 It’s square 46. Move forward Prime Minister’s about the environment. 2 spaces. Questions. 44 35 CENTRAL LOBBY 36 Move forward Move forward It’s question 3 spaces. 1 square to 36 time in the ask your 42 Chamber. question. 43 Meet Move forward You people in your FINISH 42 43 35 1 square to ask ask a question constituency. 44 There’s the Government 18 in the Chamber. Move forward 45 your question. 49 an important Move forward 38 3 spaces. 47 46 You have lots of 2 spaces. 39 40 debate in the emails and letters Chamber. to reply to. Go 20 17 Go back to back 2 spaces square 46. to your office to 21 answer them. You have lots 16 of emails and 33 letters to reply to. 22 Go back 3 spaces 15 32 to your office to 13 12 11 10 9 You are answer them. interviewed for a 30 31 newspaper. Move 29 forward 1 square. You have a meeting with people at a 28 Students from local charity. Dash 7 27 You are 24 to square 25 START 1 2 a school in your 4 5 6 examining a 25 To start you must roll constituency are to get there Bill. Miss a go on time. a 6 to be elected visiting Parliament. while you look as an MP. Go to square 5 at it in detail. to meet them. 14 HOUSE OF COMMONS 15 s Who’ who … What do members of the House of Lords do? i he House of Lo ds? Members of the House of Lords ask questions, debate important issues and examine and suggest changes to plans There are about 800 members of the House of Lords. for new laws. Their job is to question and challenge the work of the Government. Members of the House of Lords spend As many members have professional lots of time examining ideas for new laws in detail. knowledge in areas such as education and health, they can use this experience to check that the detail in plans for new laws makes sense, is fair and will work The House for different groups of people. If they Myth-buster! think a plan for a new law could be Specialists and all-rounders! ome people think that members o L ds improved they suggest changes. Sof the House of Lords wear fancy f o So, the House of Lords has a wide range of people, robes. Actually, they usually only The House of Lords is the second some who are experts in one or two areas and Chamber of the UK Parliament. some who have general knowledge of many things. wear robes once a year for the State Having people that have In some ways, it’s a bit like the different teachers Opening of Parliament, the first day of Many of its members have expertise can be really helpful! Parliament’s year. On every other day worked in politics, but many you might have at your school. Some teach you they wear normal, smart clothes just have done other jobs. There lots of different subjects while others might focus on a specialist subject. Your class teacher like everyone else. are doctors, soldiers, scientists, probably teaches you lots of different subjects like writers, teachers, police officers, English, Maths and Science. But you might have sportspeople and many other other specialist teachers for learning a different professional people in the House language or a musical instrument, or a sports of Lords. coach if you are part of a school sports team.

Many members of the House of Lords, both present and former, Yes, and it’s the same in the House have competed in the Olympics of Lords, too. They use their and the Paralympics. expertise to examine the plans for They have won over new laws and recommend changes. Wow! That’s past 45 medals ... so far! my bedtime!

Members of the House of Lords spend a lot of their time debating the Government’s plans for new laws. Often, really important Did or complicated debates carry on past 10pm, you A female member of the House so it can be a very long day. k ow? of Lords is called a Baroness.

16 17 Wha does he House of Lo ds look like? Life pee s Members of the House of Lords come from all This is the House of Lords Chamber. You can come and visit the House walks of life, from sportspeople to scientists. of Lords and watch what is happening from the public gallery or online! Many are made members because of their professional experience and specialist knowledge. Throne They are called ‘life peers’ because they can be This is where the Monarch sits at members of the House of Lords for their whole life. the State Opening of Parliament.

ACTIVITY Cameras for filming Lord Speaker’s seat

Nominate someone to become a life peer. Is there someone that you know who is a great role model? It could be someone famous who inspires you, or someone in your local community whose hard work makes a difference. GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION Is there someone who you think would have a cool head and be able to put their point of view across clearly? Despatch boxes Who would you nominate to be a life peer and work in the House of Lords to help make the laws?

Clerks’ table Who would you nominate and why?

Cross benches The House of Lords Chamber has benches that cross the middle of the floor. About 200 members who are not members of a political party sit here and are called ‘crossbenchers’.

The Lord Speaker is elected by other members to represent the House of Lords and never takes sides in debates.

18 19 Wh do we eed laws? Laws y Laws are based on the same idea Laws are made to: as rules, BUT they are different. keep us safe and protect us So, you know all about rules, don’t you? Rules can affect small groups of If you know what rules are, then you already know a bit people, but laws can affect us all. ensure people behave so about laws and how they work. Let’s look at how rules and We don’t make laws. Laws are made they don’t hurt themselves laws are similar and different. I bet you have a list of rules or others for your class, maybe you even helped write those rules. in Parliament. MPs and members of the House of Lords debate make sure everything is fair and people can We always and vote on ideas for new laws Class Rules! tell the truth. to make sure they are the best access their rights they can be. solve conflicts If people break the law, then (fights) We look after We are they are doing something our belongings. kind and illegal and they might have to Hmmm – laws sound very important! So why do friendly to pay a fine, or even go to prison. you think we others. need rules? We raise our Let’s look at an idea for a law hands when we We always This idea is to tax sugary drinks. That means you could pay want to speak. try our best. more money for the drinks that have the highest sugar content. So a litre of a sugary drink could cost around 25p more! What would your school be like without rules? How could paying more People in communities like schools or clubs often make up rules for a sugary drink help us? 54 comments to help everyone get along. Rules make sure things are fair and everyone is safe. If people break rules they might be told off or This law could change they may have a punishment of some sort. how people behave. It could help people drink fewer sugary drinks. That will keep There are rules for games too. people safe because too much They make sure the games are fair. sugar is linked to diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. It also means that the people who make What happens if sugary drinks might think more carefully somebody breaks about how much sugar they put in them. the rules? This law could mean that people think If they make drinks that are healthier, then more carefully about buying sugary drinks. we all benefit. A can of fizzy drink can have up to nine Also, the Government may make money teaspoons of sugar in it. That is more than from the tax. This money could be used the recommended amount of sugar for a to fund sport in primary schools to help child for one day. children become healthier too.

20 21 So, Parliament Yes, both the House of Commons makes laws that and the House of Lords look at the hich laws affec e can affect us all? plans for new laws to make sure W ? they work well for everyone when they become law. Now we know about rules and laws. Most laws are for grown-ups, but are there any laws that ACTIVITY have been made for children? Well, there are some laws that have been specially written with children in mind. Is it a rule or a law? Can you sort them? Draw a line from each rule and law to the correct box. Protecting children

Free education Dropping litter in the Stealing is Films shown in the UK need an age rating, it’s the law! for children. street is not allowed – illegal. An age rating lets people know whether a film is age

you can be fined. appropriate. This law is in place to protect children and young people from watching things they might find frightening or upsetting. The speed limit on Video games have age ratings too. If a person is found selling a video game Listen to people when motorways is 70mph. to someone under age they could face a big fine or even go to prison! they are speaking.

Laws Education for all children Rules Be kind to In 1870 something amazing happened – education became each other. compulsory for children up to the age of 10. Before that, they If the dice lands on Walk in the may have had to work. Now, all children have access to free 6 you get another go. corridors. education and can attend both primary and secondary school. Writing on walls You can’t use your hand to touch the without permission in ball in football unless you are the goalie. public places is illegal. Devolu io The UK Parliament is the main law-making body, but some powers have been ‘devolved’ to the Northern Did Ireland Assembly, the National Assembly for Wales you and the Scottish Parliament. Those institutions now ow? have the power to make laws about some issues, such k An idea for a new law is called a Bill. as education or health, in those parts of the UK.

Sometimes a Bill will move Bills are discussed and debated in the between the House of House of Commons and the House of Lords. Commons and the House of Let’s think. How do laws What would Lords lots of times before it QUICK If both Houses agree FACT on a Bill, then it is protect people, make happen if we didn’t is agreed. When this happens signed by the Monarch. This is called Royal things fairer or help have laws? it is known as ‘ping-pong’! Assent and the Bill becomes an Act of people stay healthy? Parliament and part of the UK law.S 22 23 Wha is i po a o you? How ca I e i volved? Just like Lucy, Alex and the UK Youth Parliament, you can get involved by g petitioning, debating and speaking up about the things that matter to you.

The UK Parliament is your Parliament and your war and conflict thoughts and ideas matter! Let’s find out about What issues are important to you? How will you how some young people are getting involved. get involved with your UK Parliament? fairness Write your ideas here: people who don’t GAINING SUPPORT have a home Lucy Gavaghan started a the environment petition when she was 14 to ban supermarkets selling eggs laid animal welfare by hens in cages. Her petition what should got so much support that happen at school supermarkets have made a health and food promise to stop selling eggs from caged hens by 2025. See Pa lia e i ac io ! Anyone can visit the UK Parliament. You can watch a SPEAKING UP debate and take a tour of the . Alex Rukin was just nine years What would you like to see? Who would you like to meet? old when he became the youngest person to give his opinion to a committee in Parliament. Things to do when I visit the UK Parliament He gave his opinion about plans for a new rail link near his home. DEBATING Places to visit: Members of the UK Youth Parliament are aged between 11 and 18 years old. Every year, they come to the People I’d like to meet: House of Commons to hold a debate about issues that are important to them. Questions I’d like to ask: If you feel seriously about an issue, something in the news or an idea for a law that Parliament is talking about, then you can get involved.

24 25 Can you find these important people Wha do I k ow? in Parliament in the word search?

Now you know all about the UK Parliament, here are some fun activities for you to do, either WORD SEARCH on your own or with your classmates! Have fun! P B A R O N E S S T C Y O PRIME MINISTER Q R Y P X C D R U L L K P Let’s see what you know about Parliament. Can you LORD answer these questions and be a Parliament Quiz Master? C A I S S B E C X H E P P BARONESS S L H M I N I S T E R B O SPEAKER P U O K E O M T E Q K C S MP UK PARLIAMENT QUIZ E Q V R T M E G J C S L I MONARCH A D W K D P I Q B M U J T 1 What are the three parts of the UK Parliament? BACKBENCHER K B G O V E R N M E N T I 2 Who tried to blow up Parliament in 1605? CROSSBENCHER E O P L B X W R I Y F G O MINISTER 3 What object needs to be in the House of Commons R M O N A R C H B S V A N Chamber before debates can take place? OPPOSITION A Z S H L L U P F G T J I 4 How do you become an MP? GOVERNMENT M C R O S S B E N C H E R 5 How can you contact your MP? P R E H C N E B K C A B R CLERKS 6 What do members of the House of Lords do? 7 When does parliamentary ‘ping-pong’ happen? 8 How old do you need to be to vote in a general election? Can you spot 6 differences between the SPOT THE DIFFERENCE two pictures below? 9 Who has to sign a Bill to make it into a law? 10 How can you watch a debate in Parliament?

Which events from the history of Parliament can WORD PUZZLES you spell out by rearranging the letters below? NAAGM RCAAT EVDILUTOON GWODUNPER LTOP

YUPTEN BEETADS For the answers, please see PCM 10 of the teachers’ notes at www.parliament.uk/education at notes teachers’ the of 10 PCM see please answers, the For

26 27 Glossa y Act of Parliament When a Bill General election This is when is agreed by both the House of people cast their votes to decide Commons and the House of Lords, which MP will represent their it is signed by the Monarch. It then constituency in the House of becomes an Act of Parliament and Commons. A general election is part of the UK law. usually held every five years. Bill A Bill is an idea for a new law Government The Government runs the or a suggestion of how to change country. The Government is formed a law that we already have. A Bill by the political party who gains the is debated in both the House of most votes in a general election. Commons and the House of Lords. Opposition The opposition parties Not all Bills become law. sit on the benches opposite the Cabinet The Cabinet is part of the Government in the House of Government. The Prime Minister Commons and the House of Lords. chooses people from the governing MP (Member of Parliament) party to join the Cabinet to run An MP is a person elected by the different departments like Education people in a constituency to represent and Health. These people help to them in the House of Commons. make decisions about how to run the UK and can be MPs or members of the Peer (member of the House of House of Lords. Lords) A peer is another name for a member of the House of Lords. Acknowledgements Chamber The House of Commons Most members of the House of Lords and the House of Lords both have are life peers, which means they have We would like to thank the following contributors: a Chamber. These are the rooms been appointed for their lifetime. Blooberry Design: book packaging including curriculum consultation, where they meet, debate and make writing, editing, concept design, cover design, book design, artwork decisions. Prime Minister The Prime Minister commissioning, picture research, page make-up is the leader of the Government. Alan Rowe: illustration Constituency A constituency is the He or she lives and works at specific geographical area that is 10 Downing Street. We acknowledge the following sources of copyright material and are grateful represented by each MP in the House for the permissions granted. of Commons. People who live in an State Opening of Parliament This ceremony marks the start of The authors and publishers would like to thank the following for permission to MP’s constituency are known as the reproduce photographs: constituents. Parliament’s year, which is a bit like P. 1 (girl): Lisa F. Young/Alamy; p. 1 (House of Parliament): Claudio Divizia/Shutterstock; p. 2 a school year. The Monarch visits (Houses of Parliament b/g): TTstudio/Shutterstock; p. 3 (House of Commons): UK Parliament/Flickr; Debate A debate is a type of discussion Parliament and sits on the throne p. 3 (House of Lords): UK Parliament/Flickr; p. 3 (crown): UK Parliament/Flickr; p. 6 (ballot box): where people give their opinions on AntonSokolov/Shutterstock; p. 6 (people): Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock; p. 7 (rosette): ssylenko/ in the House of Lords to read a Shutterstock; p. 9 (door): UK Parliament/Flickr; p. 9 (parchment b/g): alfocome/Shutterstock; a topic. Members of the House of p. 10–11 (desk): Mushakesa/Shutterstock; p. 12 (dog): iBoat/Shutterstock; p. 12 (bench): UK speech. The speech is written by the Parliament/Flickr;; p. 13 (House of Commons): UK Parliament/Flickr; p. 13 (Mace): UK Parliament; Commons and House of Lords debate p. 16 (Central Lobby b/g): UK Parliament/Flickr; p. 17 (laptop): Peter Kotoff/Shutterstock; Government and sets out its plans p. 17 (clipboard): YasnaTen/Shutterstock; p. 18 (House of Lords): UK Parliament/Flickr; important issues affecting the UK. p. 20 (desk b/g): kozirsky/Shutterstock; p. 20 (cork board): panyajampatong/Shutterstock; for the coming year. p. 20 (girls playing football): Murray Hayward/Alamy; p. 21 (scroll): Vadim Sadovski/Shutterstock; p. 21 (wax seal): Gl0ck/Shutterstock; p. 21 (fizzy drinks and sugar cubes): Jeffrey Blackler/Alamy; Devolution This is when some powers p. 21: M. Unal Ozmen/Shutterstock; p. 21 (yellow bubble b/g): MSSA/Shutterstock; p. 22 (iPad): were transferred from the UK cluckva/Shutterstock; p. 22 (iPad b/g): Vasya Kobelev/Shutterstock; p. 23 (popcorn): M. Unal Ozmen/ Shutterstock; p. 23 (books): Artem Shadrin/Shutterstock; p. 24 (magazine): FabrikaSimf/Shutterstock; Parliament to the Scottish Parliament, p. 24 (chicken): Olhastock/Shutterstock; p. 24 (eggs): stocksolutions/Shutterstock; p. 24 (Youth Parliament): UK Parliament; p. 25 (Big Ben): stoyanh/Shutterstock; All pages (sun rays in various the National Assembly for Wales colourways): natrot/Shutterstock. and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Front Cover photo Olavs silis/Alamy.

28 Discove he UK Pa lia e !

What is the UK Parliament? How is it different from the Government? Why do we need laws? You’ll find all the answers in this unique guide, designed especially for children. Learn about the different people who work in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and find out what happens during an election. Packed with fascinating facts, games and fun learning activities, this book will challenge you to think about the difference between rules and laws, and how you can get involved with your UK Parliament.

For supporting teachers’ notes and additional resources go to www.parliament.uk/education

For younger pupils … This fun story introduces children to the UK Parliament as they join Oak Class on their school trip to the Houses of Parliament. www.parliament.uk/education