Overview
During this lesson, students will look at the purpose and collection of taxes. They will explore how public services are largely funded through the payment of taxes and learn how councils decide their budgets.
By the end of the lesson students will be able to:
- Describe what tax is
- Identify and evaluate different methods of collecting and allocating taxes
- Analyse how councils make local spending decisions
This lesson forms part of our wider collection of Economic and Financial Literacy teaching resources.
Photo credit: Wavebreakmedia from Getty Images
More Lessons resources
What Happens When Rules are Broken?
Pupils consider what happens when rules are broken. They explore what consequences are, how we can ensure that consequences are fair and what information someone might need to have before…
Local and Central Government
This resource pack is the third of a four-part set which has been designed to introduce students to the...
Cancer – Early Detection and Prevention
This lesson has been designed in response to the Big Vote, where children voted on what issues they most cared about. The vote was to mark the ten year anniversary…
More Economics, Money and Managing Resources resources
Why Do We Pay Taxes? (Part 1)
Pupils will learn that public services are largely funded through the payment of taxes to the government. To access this content, register for our School Subscription.
What is Debt?
Students will explore issues around money, personal and sovereign debt and consider the impact government borrowing has on future...
Economic Cycles
This free classroom resource explores what economic cycles are and how they impact our lives. Aimed at KS4 and...
More Politics and Democracy resources
Be Your Own Councillor
Students examine ways in which a fictional town council could spend its budget. They consider the concerns of different...
Climate Action: Using the Law to Drive Change
In 2021, COP26 was hosted in Glasgow. It was seen as a pivotal moment in tackling the global climate...
Citizenship: a privilege or a right?
Students research what the law says about the rights of individuals to become UK citizens and critically examine whether...
More KS3 (ages 11-14) resources
You Decide! (KS3)
This resource will allow students to critically consider what reasons and ways the government can take to support different...
Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition 2025/26: Preparation Resources (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
School Guide – This guide contains all of the information to support the lead teacher and support teachers in preparing for the competition. Student Guides – Each student guide contains an…
Law Makers (SmartLaw Subscription)
In this lesson students examine what the rule of law is and why we need it. They consider how and why laws are made in the UK and what the…