AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 1, June 2025: Question 6
9 marks · Medium difficulty · Extended Response
Name one key principle of the UK Civil Service and evaluate whether the Civil Service has too much power in the UK.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
06.1 Name one of the key principles the UK Civil Service is expected to operate by.
[1 mark]
06.2 ‘In the UK, the Civil Service has too much power.’
Considering a range of views, evaluate this statement.
[8 marks]
Extra space
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
06 1 Name one of the key principles the UK Civil Service is expected to 1
operate by.
Award 1 mark for naming a correct key principle the UK Civil Service is
expected operate by.
These are:
• impartiality/neutrality
• anonymity
• permanence.
Accept values of the civil service code – honesty, integrity or objectivity.
Accept expression of these terms/concepts using the candidate’s own
words.
AO1 = 1
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
06 2 ‘In the UK, the Civil Service has too much power.’ 8
Considering a range of views, evaluate this statement.
Level Marks Descriptor
Developed and sustained analysis of a wide range
of evidence and views related to the citizenship
issue.
4 7–8 Developed and reasoned justifications are given
which relate to the evidence provided.
The justifications put forward form a coherent
argument.
Analysis of a range of evidence and views related to
the citizenship issue.
The evidence is used to support arguments but
3 5–6 these arguments are not always completely
developed, justified or evaluated. Conclusions
drawn from the arguments may not be completely
coherent.
Basic analysis of a limited range of evidence and
views related to the citizenship issue.
Weak arguments are made which are not
2 3–4 necessarily related to the evidence selected.
The arguments represent only a limited range of
viewpoints. Some attempt is made to integrate the
arguments into concluding remarks.
Limited evidence presented and/or evidence
1 1–2 presented is not directly related to the citizenship–– – JUNE 2025
issue.
18 Insufficient range of differing viewpoints considered.
Little or no attempt is made to analyse or evaluate
the evidence presented. Little or no attempt is
made to integrate the points made.
00 Nothing to credit.
Indicative content
Analysis of evidence should evaluate the view that the Civil Service has
too much power in the UK. Whilst the question requires a response that
comes to a conclusion, candidates are required to look at a range of
views covering both sides of the argument. This indicative content
provides possible routes through the question. It is not a requirement that
responses contain all the elements identified below; other valid points
should be credited fully.
Arguments in support of the view that the Civil Service has too much
power in the UK
• The Civil Service helps the government develop and implement its
policy. Whilst the government may make the executive decisions,
without the Civil Service these decisions cannot be put into action.
• Civil Servants are permanent; they remain in post when governments
change. As a result, they can be very experienced and experts within
their field. This makes them more powerful than government ministers
who are replaced.
• The Senior Civil Service (SCS) is made up of around 6000 top civil
servants who devise policy and advise ministers. These senior civil
servants have the power to determine budgets and their own salaries.
• Civil servants may be resistant to policy change when governments
change and since they are the ones who implement the policy,
effectively the success or failure of the policies could be determined by
them.
• Ministers, not the civil servants, are accountable to Parliament for
policy decisions. In the case of policy errors or mistakes in
implementation it is the minister, in theory, who has to resign, not the
civil servant. This gives the Civil Service power without being held
accountable.
Arguments against the view that the Civil Service has too much power in
the UK
• It is government/ministers who have the power to make decisions about
policy, the role of the Civil Service is only a supporting one.
• Most ministers are MP’s who have been elected. Civil servants are not
elected and therefore have not been given power to make decisions.
• The ministers in charge often blame the Civil Service for problems that
occur in the implementation of government policy.
• Civil servants are held accountable and are often called before
parliamentary committees.
• Over time, more government services are being provided by agencies,–– – JUNE 2025
thereby reducing the number of civil servants and their power.
• Civil servants are anonymous to the public and they are not allowed to
disclose sensitive government information, putting a constraint on the 19
power they can hold.
Award marks for any other relevant answers.
AO3 = 8
How to answer it
UK Government: The Power and Role of the Civil Service
Subject Knowledge: Core principles governing the UK Civil Service (neutrality, permanence, anonymity) and its constitutional relationship with elected government ministers.
Exam Skills: Accurate recall of statutory values (AO1) and extended evaluation (AO3) requiring balanced arguments, relevant evidence, and a reasoned, justified conclusion on where real executive power lies.
Core Principles of the UK Civil Service
Recall of statutory values and operational principles
✅ Acceptable Answers (Give ANY ONE)
- Impartiality / Political Neutrality (serving governments of any political party equally)
- Anonymity (advising behind closed doors; ministers take public responsibility)
- Permanence (remaining in post when governments change)
- Values from the Civil Service Code also accepted: Honesty, Integrity, or Objectivity.
❌ Common Errors
- Writing "Democracy" or "Elected" — civil servants are unelected officials.
- Confusing principles with general civil rights (e.g. "Freedom of speech").
- Giving vague everyday terms like "Being nice" or "Fairness" instead of recognised values like impartiality or integrity.
Evaluation: "In the UK, the Civil Service has too much power."
Balanced 8-mark essay with sustained evaluation and conclusion
💡 Arguments AGREEING with the Statement (They have too much power)
- Permanence vs Ministerial Turnover: Civil servants stay in post for decades, whereas ministers change frequently. Their superior institutional memory and expertise allow them to guide or manipulate inexperienced ministers.
- Implementation Control: Ministers decide policy, but civil servants put it into action. If civil servants drag their feet or disagree, policies can be watered down or stall.
- Power Without Accountability: Due to individual ministerial responsibility, the minister resigns or takes blame in Parliament for departmental failures, not the civil servants who designed or ran the scheme.
- Senior Civil Service Influence: Roughly 6,000 top civil servants shape major policy briefs, budgets, and operational decisions behind closed doors.
💡 Arguments DISAGREEING with the Statement (Their power is limited)
- Elected Ministers Decide: Ultimate executive power rests with elected MPs/ministers. The Civil Service is purely advisory and executive; ministers can reject advice outright.
- Scrutiny & Committees: Senior civil servants are increasingly summoned before Parliamentary Select Committees to justify department spending and management.
- Code of Neutrality & Anonymity: Bound by strict rules; they cannot pursue political agendas or openly challenge government directives.
- Contracting Out & Agencies: Many operational services are outsourced to executive agencies and private contractors, reducing the traditional civil service scope.
🧠 How to Reach Level 4 (7–8 Marks)
- Follow the "PEEL" formula: Point, Evidence/Explanation, Evaluation (counter-argument), Link back to the statement.
- Maintain balance: Give at least two well-developed points on each side before reaching a verdict.
- Provide a justified conclusion: Do not just say "Both sides make good points." State clearly whether they have too much power and explain why (e.g. "Although unelected officials hold great practical influence due to expertise, elected ministers still hold decisive constitutional power because they set the manifesto agenda and can dismiss or overrule advice.").
📐 Mark Scheme Level Ladder
- Level 4 (7–8 marks): Developed, sustained analysis of a wide range of evidence. Both sides fully argued with a reasoned, coherent final justification.
- Level 3 (5–6 marks): Analysis of a range of viewpoints. Arguments are supported by evidence, but evaluation or final conclusion may lack complete development.
- Level 2 (3–4 marks): Basic analysis with limited evidence. One-sided or weak points with an attempt at a brief summary.
- Level 1 (1–2 marks): Isolated facts or opinions without clear structure or direct link to the question.
Topics
3.1 Citizenship skills, processes and methods · 3.4 Politics and participation · 3.1 Citizenship skills, processes and methods · 3.4.1 Where does political power reside in the UK and how is it controlled? · 3.4.3 Where does political power reside: with the citizen, parliament or government?
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies examination, Paper 1, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.