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Chinese UK Study Company Limited
The British Constitution
As a constitutional democracy, the United Kingdom is governed by a wide range of institutions, many of which provide checks on each others powers. Most of these institutions are of long standing: they include the monarchy, Parliament, (consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords), the office of Prime Minister, the Cabinet, the judiciary, the police, the civil service, and the institutions of local government. More recently, devolved administrations have been set up for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Together, these formal institutions, laws and conventions form the British Constitution.
Children, family and young people
In the UK, there are almost 15 million children and young people up to the age of 19. This is almost one-quarter of the UK population.
Population
In 2005 the population of the United Kingdom was just under 60 million people
UK population 2005
|
England |
(84% of the population) |
50.1 million |
|
Scotland |
(8% of the population) |
5.1 million |
|
Wales |
(5% of the population) |
2.9 million |
|
N Ireland |
(3% of the population) |
1.7 million |
|
Total UK |
|
59.8 million |
Source: National Statistics
UK population 2001
|
|
Million |
UK population % |
|
White (including people of European,
Australian, American descent) |
54.2 |
92 |
|
Mixed |
0.7 |
1.2 |
|
Asian or Asian British |
|
|
|
Indian |
1.1 |
1.8 |
|
Pakistani |
0.7 |
1.3 |
|
Bangladeshi |
0.3 |
0.5 |
|
Other Asian |
0.2 |
0.4 |
|
Black or Black British |
|
|
|
Black Caribbean |
0.6 |
1.0 |
|
Black African |
0.5 |
0.8 |
|
Black other |
0.1 |
0.2 |
|
Chinese |
0.2 |
0.4 |
|
Other |
0.2 |
0.4 |
Source: National Statistics from the 2001 census
Health
Healthcare in the UK is organised under the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS began in 1948, and is one of the largest organisations in Europe. It provides all residents with free healthcare and treatment.
Leisure
Information about theatre, cinema, music and exhibitions is found in local newspapers, local libraries and tourist information offices. Many museums and art galleries are free.
Information about local clubs and societies can usually be found at local libraries or through your local authority. For information about sports you should ask in the local leisure centre. Libraries and leisure centres often organise activities for children during the school holidays.
The UK has a large network of public footpaths in the countryside. Many parts of the countryside and places of interest are kept open by the National Trust. This is a charity that works to preserve important buildings and countryside in the UK. Information about National Trust buildings and areas open to the public is available on: www.nationaltrust.org.uk .
Public houses, or pubs, are an important part of social life in the UK. To drink alcohol in a pub you must be 18 or over. People under 18 are not allowed to buy alcohol in a supermarket or in an off-licence either. The landlord of the pub may allow people of 14 to come into the pub but they are not allowed to drink. At 16, people can drink wine or beer with a meal in a hotel or restaurant.
Driving
You must be at least 17 to drive a car or motorcycle, 18 to drive a medium-sized lorry, and 21 to drive a large lorry or bus. To drive a lorry, minibus or bus with more than eight passenger seats, you must have a special licence.
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