Unit 3 – Citizenship, Diversity and the Public Services
Assignment 3
P7 - Report on three examples of current affairs that affect public services and citizens
M4 - Analyse the effects on citizens and public services of the way that three examples of current affairs have been reported by the media.
Current affairs in the UK that affect the Public Services and citizens of society are the student demonstrations, the increase of fuel prices and the cutbacks of the Public Services. These all have an effect on society and the affect it has depends on the way in which the media portrays the Public Services and citizens of society.
Fuel Prices Increase - The recent fuel price increase sparked anger amongst motorists across the UK. A protest consisting of 1,000 vehicles travelling to the M56 and onto the M6 where the convoy extended by a further 500. The Police were informed of the protest and were there to patrol the protest to keep order. A statement to the press was made saying that the Police had turned back tractors and issued tickets to farmers. They also had dogs ready to release into the protesters if an outbreak occurred. This incident also gave a negative perspective of the Police Service as the media only published stories that portrayed the Police in a bad way and this affects citizens as they will not trust the Police if they act in an aggressive or ill-mannered behaviour towards those they have the duty to serve.
Public Services Cutbacks - It is estimated that over the next 5 years, 350,000 workers from the public sector will lose their jobs as warned by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Due to these cuts (especially of the Police), the level of crime has increased and it has been reported that some criminal activities will be “screened out” by the authorities. It has been estimated that as many as one in three crimes will be