1. UNIT TITLE:Unit 1: Business Purposes LESSON TITLE:The Role of the Government CRITERIA: P4 COMPETENCY FOCUS: ICT Skills (L6): You will develop your skills in using ICT applications during the production of your coursework through the production of a podcast. Learning Objectives By the end of the lesson, you should be able to… LO1)Identify the three levels of government (Gui) LO2) Through the production of your podcast, outline the role of the government in creating an environment where businesses can thrive (Reg-Str) (P4) LO3) Through the production of your podcast, explain the role of the government in creating an environment where businesses can thrive (Str) (P4)

2. P4 Outline the role of government in creating the business climate Your line manager (editor) and regional editor for the midlands were so impressed with the magazine that you produced to celebrate 100years of local industry in the Black Country, that they have asked you to continue your research into the role of the government (local and national) in today’s business environment. You are to create a podcast to upload to the Express and Star’s website where you will provide an overview of your independent research into how government policies (local or national) affect businesses. You will need to research and plan your podcast. You may find it useful to write a script! You might want to include: Government grants and incentives e.g. tax incentives, business development grants Interest rates Inflation Unemployment rates Competition Growth Exportation of goods

3. After discussing the above on a local and national level, you will then need to look at how they are affected within the European Union and globally. HINT: You will need to structure your podcast to include an introduction, appropriate sections with examples. For example if there is high unemployment in a particular area, the government will offer businesses incentives to locate there. This will in turn increase employment rates, investment and consumer spending which will help regenerate the local economy. P4 Outline the role of government in creating the business climate

4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT Unemployment Education/schemes in schools http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government- network/2012/mar/26/islington-scheme- schoolchildren-junior-assistants http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government- network/2012/mar/26/islington-scheme- schoolchildren-junior-assistants Apprentiships Government grants to employers for hiring school leavers Job centre courses Encourages new business start-ups Better infrastructure (transport links)

5. LOCAL GOVERNMENT Growth Local council advice surgeries about setting up own business Citizens Advice Bureau Tax breaks for setting up new businesses Grants available for new business start-ups

6. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Unemployment Give grants to businesses if they employ school leavers Youth Training Schemes http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG _200235 http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG _200235 ‘Youth Contract’ Conservatives have cut benefits Working tax credits/increased child benefits to encourage mothers to go back to work

7. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Growth Governments can pass legislation protecting consumers and workers or restricting where businesses can build new premises http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business/e nvironment/stateofeconomyrev3.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business/e nvironment/stateofeconomyrev3.shtml Encouraging in the tertiary sector i.e. banking, online businesses Encourage the banks to lend money to businesses I.e. to expand or to start up

8. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Inflation Lower prices. Continually rising prices is called inflation. Low inflation is an aim of government http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/busi ness/environment/stateofeconomyrev3.shtml

9. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Competition Legislation on creating a monopoly Reducing trade barriers and tarrifs Reduce regulations (‘red tape’) on trading Reducing public sector businesses (privatisation) i.e. British Gas, BT

10. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Export Keeping the value of the £ low so businesses in other countries want to buy products from us Joining the EU therefore free trade with European countries Reducing barriers to trade (tariffs)

11. EUROPEAN UNION Growth Most of the UK trade occurs within the EU as there isn't many restrictions for doing business in Europe (no permission required to work in Europe) Unemployment No restrictions on working in Europe Export of goods Free trade within Europe