UK Central Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

UK Central Government - Essay Example Most such departments are led by ministers and the ministers are accountable to parliament and have to report on the progress of their department. Certain non-ministerial posts may also be given to people heading certain departments1. This essay will deal with the role of the governments, both local and central and examine to what extent the local governments are dependent on central government. Is there an issue of performance scrutiny Are the local governments completely controlled by the central government2 These are issues that will be discussed is some detail. The ministers are in charge of government departments and are known as secretaries of state. They are members of the cabinet and carry out duties that the Prime Minster allots to them. Certain holders of traditional offices may have no departmental duties. Ministerial responsibility refers to both the collective responsibility for government policy and actions which ministers share, and to the ministers' individual responsibility for the work of their own departments. Collective responsibility implies that ministers should support government decisions and policies once they have been made and strictly implement those policies. Departmental ministers must agree with government policies as a whole so ministers are either expected to support or resign (Direct.gov on Central govt, 2005). This shows the extreme control of the central government in policy matters. In recent years we have seen such cases of resignation when ministers have failed to support government policies for instance the decision to go to war against Iraq (BBC report 2003/2005)3. The junior ministers are parliamentary undersecretaries of State and they report to a minister and oversee certain functions of a department. Departmental ministers tend to decide on all matters within their responsibility although certain cases may involve the decision of more than one department and consequently more than one minister would be responsible for the decision. On taking up office ministers are required to resign from directorships of private and public companies and ensure that there is no conflict in public and private interests (Direct.gov on Centr al govt, 2005). The central government consists of a cabinet of 20 ministers chosen by the Prime Minister and include both departmental and non-departmental ministers. The Cabinet represents the true collective responsibility and is expected to take the final decisions on government policies and adhere to them. The cabinet meets weekly although its business remains confidential until policies are made public and official (Direct.gov on Central govt, 2005). The civil service helps the government to formulate policies, carry out decisions and administer public services for which they are responsible. As ofJune 2001, civil servants constituted about 2 per cent of the working population in employment and about 10 per cent of all public sector employees and half of all civil services provide their services directly to the public4. The Prime Minister is responsible for central co-ordination and management of the Civil Service (Direct.gov on Central govt, 2005). The central government also consists of executive agencies that are directly accountable to the ministers. These government agencies

Internet Bullying and the Law Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Internet Bullying and the Law - Research Paper Example Cyber bullying needs to be restricted by legal rules and regulations because these laws will deter cyber bullying, these laws are in compliance with ethical standards and cyber bullying needs to be stopped because it is hurting the future of the society. One of the main reasons due to which cyber bullying should be recognized as an illegal act is that it will lead to deterring individuals from indulging in such behaviors. Strict cyber cullying laws are required in order punish those who have already committed the act and even those who are planning to indulge in the act. Individuals are rational beings and they make decisions on the basis of costs and benefits associated with a particular act. If an individual feels that the cost of committing a crime is lower than the benefits that can be derived from indulging in that particular act, they are more likely to indulge in the act. If strict laws restricting cyber bullying are put into action, individuals will take these laws and punishments associated with an act before committing the act and are more likely not to indulge in the act (Vito, 2012, p.52). Anti cyber bullying laws should be in place because these laws are completely ethical and in compliance with ethical standards. According to the ethical standard of utilitarianism, those actions should be considered as legal that result in higher number of benefits and lower number of costs as compared to any other action that may be taken in the same scenario. Anti-bullying laws have more benefits to offer to society as compared to costs. Cyber bullying has resulted in several negative consequences for the entire society. For example: a number of suicides have been reported to take place as a result of cyber bullying. The suicide of Megan Meier a 14year old girl has been attributed to cyber bullying as it was figured out that she was publically harassed by others over