Number and data: taxing and spending - Lesson 3

Lesson 3 What does the government spend?

Starter

Ask students to rank the following areas of government spending.

Health
Social protection
Housing and environment
Public order and safety
Debt interest
Transport
Defence
Education
Personal social services
Industry, agriculture, employment and training

1 – most important
10 – least important

Main activity

Students use Resource Sheet 4 – How does the government spend its money? to consider their own and the governments priorities.

Pie chart of government spending This pie chart shows how the money is actually allocated. The information will be useful in the discussion following group decisions about how they think the money is spent.

Source: The Treasury website, 2005

Plenary

Give students actual figures and compare with their expectations. What are the differences and similarities?

Did their ideas differ? If so why? What are the government’s motives?

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Downloads

Lesson3whatdoesthegovern (, 48 KB)
Res 4 What Does The Government Spend (, 66 KB)