Citizenship Studies in the News - Edition 15 - Teaching resource for GCSE Citizenship Studies

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore

A structured teaching resource that supports GCSE Citizenship Studies through current news article selections linked to specification key questions across themes A–D. It explains how contemporary issues connect to learners’ lives, and provides guidance for integrating articles into classroom practice. The resource maps each theme to relevant specification topics, including migration impacts, democracy and taxation, law and justice, and the UK’s power and influence internationally. Link usage notes clarify external provider views and third-party video possibilities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

About this resource

Theme A: Living Together in the UK

2. Migration and its impact

Theme B: Democracy in the UK

2. Taxation and government spending

Theme C: Law and Justice

4. The justice system in England and Wales

Theme D: Power and Influence

6. The UKs role in the rest of the world

Citizenship Studies in the News Edition 15 About this resource: Citizenship Studies in the news aims to stimulate discussion for GCSE Citizenship Studies by considering contemporary issues and their relevance to our lives. We have compiled a range of current news articles* and linked these to the key questions, explored in themes A-D of the specification. You may wish to investigate and integrate into your teaching practice to help contextualise key issues and bring the subject to life! *Any views and opinions expressed through materials linked to this document are solely those of the external provider. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Pearson. Please be aware that the link provided may contain third party video content, which may contain adverts. All links checked on 2nd December 2025. | Link | Details | Links to Specification | | --- | --- | --- | |
Theme A article 1
Theme A article 2
| The specification asks us to look at ‘The social, economic and other effects of migration to the UK.’ In September, Shabana Mahmood was appointed asthe Home Secretary after a government reshuffle (more on this in a later edition of Citizenship in the News) . Sections of the public have demanded more action on migration to the
UK, especially on immigrants who enter the country illegally. In her first major action as Home Secretary, she has announced plans to tighten the rules on illegal immigration and copy a system currently used in Denmark. | Theme A Living Together in the UK • 2. Migration and its impact | |
Theme B article
| In Theme B the specification asks us to look at ‘The role of the Chanceller of the Exchequer in budgeting for income, expenditure and debts, managing risks and making decisions about the allocation of public funding.’ On Wednesday 26th November Rachel Reeves presented her second budget as Chancellor, this received alot of media attention. | Theme B Democracy in the UK
• 2. Taxation and government spending | | 3
Theme C article 1
Theme C article 2
| In this section we are asked about the roles and responsibilities of citizens in the legal system. Jurors are one of the key aspects of this and have been part of the legal system since Magna Carta. A senior judge Lord Devlin once said of juries that a jury is ‘the lamp that shows that freedom lives.’ David Lammy the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice has plans to scrap the bulk of criminal trials which use juries . This has created a tremendous backlash.
Two articles here take us through the plans . | Theme C: Law and Justice
• 4. The justice system in England and Wales | | 4
Theme D article
| The Russia Ukraine war continues to be the centre of world news, and this has caused the UK problematic questions for its power and influence in the wider world. On one level it has brought the UK closer to European neighbours but atthe same time the war has placed strains on NATO and its role in Europe –this security alliance has been the bedrock of UK defence policy since the end of WWII. This is not an easy conundrum to solve. This article is an excellent investigation of the crossroads faced by Europe and the UK. It reflects on the US decision to limit its commitment in Europe and asks candid questions of whether Europe has the political will to unite against Russia . | Theme D Power and Influence
• 6. The UKs role in the rest of the world |

FAQs

What is the purpose of Citizenship Studies in the News, Edition 15?

It aims to stimulate discussion for GCSE Citizenship Studies by linking current news issues to key specification questions and making them relevant to students’ lives.

Which themes and specification areas are covered in this edition?

The edition covers Theme A (Migration and its impact), Theme B (Taxation and government spending), Theme C (The justice system in England and Wales), and Theme D (The UK’s role in the rest of the world).

Does the resource reflect Pearson’s views on the linked articles?

No. Views and opinions in linked materials belong to external providers and do not necessarily represent Pearson.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore