Social Security in UK and China

In UK, the department of Work and Pensions agencies is in charge of managing social security system which can provide benefits for British people. The social security is to give benefits to workers who pay contributions to the National Insurance Fund and income tax system. Furthermore, the contributory system gives relatively low state retirement pensions for employed women at 60 and men at 65; maternity pay for pregnant working women; sick pay or incapacitybenefit for people who are absent from work because of illness or other reasons. However, the young unemployed between 16-18 are now ineligible for benefits until they are 18 and must follow training or education programmes. For British government, social security is very expensive and will become more so as the population ages and as the numbers of the sick, poor, disadvantaged and unemployed persist.

On the other hand, in China, Government provides the sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, pension benefit and housing benefit, however housing benefit is not compulsoty benefit. As usual, people can receive their pension for employed women at 55 and men at 60.

These benefits are better for people to work in China and UK.

British Media

There are three main components about British Media which include TV, radio, newspapers and magazines.

Television：





1 The BBC networks (Channels: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News 24 and BBC Parliament)


2 The commercial networks


3 Cable


4 Digital


5 Teletext and interactive services 6 Regulation





British National broadcasters：





1 BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)


2 two national television channels (with national and regional sub-divisions)


3 five national radio stations


4 Cable and digital TV channels


5 40+ local radio stations


6 Global enterprises in both television and radio, a broadcast monitoring service 6 Europe's most visited content web site





The most popular British radio stations:





1 Clare FM


2 Anna Livia


3 Live 95


4 Welsh Radio International


5 Imperial College radio


6 Capital FM7 BBC Radio





Newspapers :





mass market tabloids: (e.g. The Sun)


middle-market tabloids (e.g. the Daily Mail)


quality broadsheets (e.g. The Times)

Education in UK and China

There are some similiarities and differences for education system in UK and China. This piece of blog will compare and contrast them in terms of age, examination, school terms and types.

One obvious difference is the school terms. In China, we only have two terms and two holidays per year which include spring festival holiday and summer holiday. However, there are three terms and holidays in UK which also have Eastern holiday. I prefer three terms to two terms, because I feel that time is quicker than two holidays.

Other difference is school types. In China, parents always choose public school, because it charge cheap tuition fee and is near with home. In contrast, most parents would like to choose private school in UK, because they think private shool has higher reputation and better education.

In spite of these difference, there are two similiarities for age and examination. Pupil can start primary school when they are 6 years old not only in UK, but also in China. Furthermore, they can find job after 16 years in UK and China.

A final similarity is that both UK and China have the same examition which provide access to further and higher educaion. "A" level in UK are the same as university entrance examination in China. Students choose their ideal university according to this marks, therefore, it is very important for students to study hard before exam.

Although there are some differences education system between two countries, they all have higher quality and reputation in education area.

British Food and Pub

I am keen on British breakfast which may contain such as sausages, bacon, kippers , black pudding, scrambled or fried or poached egg , mushrooms, fried tomatoes, baked beans, hash browns and toast. It is wonderful and nutritious. However, we always eat Chinese cake or bun with soya milk. It is very quick for cooking.







Sometimes I do not like British lunch, because potatos and beef are always provided in every meal. Nevertheless, Chinese lunch always offers many kinds of different vegetables and meat with rice which is really delicious and various.






In Britain, pubs are where many British people meet to talk and have a drink. The most common pub names in Britain are:

(1) The Crown – represents the king or queen. Many pubs are named after individual kings and queens (see examples below).
(2) The Red Lion – the pub name became popular after James the First ordered a red lion to be displayed outside all public places.
(3) Royal Oak – the king Charles the Second escaped the Roundheads (at the time of the English Civil War) by hiding in the branches of an oak tree.
(4) Swan – a heraldic symbol, used in the "coat of arms" of powerful families.
(5) White Hart – the white hart (stag) was the heraldic symbol of the king Richard the Second.

Christmas Card

The Government of Britain

Today we learnt the some titles of government departments and their responsibilities in UK.

Firstly, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the Rt. Hon Hilary Benn MP whose main tasks are to secure a healthy environment for people all and defend against environmental risks. Further, he promotes an economy that produces less carbon and uses resources more efficiently. Finally, he ensures a thriving farming sector and a sustainable, healthy and secure food supply.

Secondly, the Secretary of State for Transport is the Rt Hon Lord Adonis whose main tasks are to sustain economic growth, improved productivity through reliable and efficient transport networks. Moreover, he focus on improving the environmental performance of transport and strengthen the safety and security of transport.

Thirdly, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is the Rt Hon David Miliband MP whose main tasks are to finish overall responsibility for the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In addition, he focuses on strategy and Policy Planning. Next, he is responsibility for communications, honours, FCO finance and Whitehall liaison department.

Fourthly, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP whose main task is to take personal responsibility for public expenditure and the Departmental security issue.

Fifthly, the Secretary of State for Defence is the Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP whose main tasks are to defence policy, planning and budget issues. Next, he focuses on the operations in Afghanistan and nuclear issues including Ballistic Missile Defence. Then, he is also responsibility for NATO, EU issues, Media and Communications.

Sixly, the Home Secretary for the Home Office is The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP whose main tasks are to effort to protect the public from terror, crime and antisocial behaviour. They also help build the security, justice and respect that enable people to prosper in a free and tolerant society.

Seventhly, the Secretary of State for Health is the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP whose main tasks are to finish overall responsibility for the work of the Department.

Eighthly, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP whose main task is to finish overall responsibility for the work of the Treasury.

Finally, the Prime Minister is the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP who is ultimately responsible for the

policy and decisions of Government, and he also oversees the operation of the civil

service and Government agencies, appoints members of the Government, and is the

principal Government figure in the House of Commons.

The National Assembly for Wales

Last thursday, we visited the National Assembly for Wales which located in Cardiff bay. The assembly is beautiful and environment friendly. Furthermore, it includes 60 members, and the members are elected for four year terms under an additional system.

The First Minister , Prif Weinidog, is the leader of the Wales Assembly Government which was established in 1999. Under the arrangements in the Government of Wales, executive functions are conferred on the National Assembly for Wales and then separately delegated to the First Minister and to other Cabinet Ministers and staff appropriate. The first minister is responsible for below points:

1.Exercise of functions by the Cabinet of the Welsh Assembly Government.

2.Policy development and coordination of policy.

3.The relationships with the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe and Wales Abroad.

4.Staffing/Civil Service

The building of Senedd was designed with energy efficiency which awarded for "green" principles used throughout its design. Moreover, the roof feathers a large, 6 metre tall wind cowl which funnels natural light and a ventilating air flow down to the debating chamber. In addition, the building uses an earth heat exchange system which uses the ground as both a heat source and a heat sink, with a low emission biomass boiler, and what's more, the rainwater is collected from the roof and recycled for the toilets and window washing.

In this visit, we learn a lot of knowledge, not only for National Assembly of wales, but also for enviroment protection and saving energy. It is very meaningful experience for everyone.

Group2 assignment

Group member--Yuki, Rosa, Chris and Eric
The purpose of assignment includes three parts. Initially, the assignment will introduce the brief overview of the House of Commons and Lords. Moreover, it will explain the role of the Monarch. Last one is 'Royal state Opening of Parliament'.

Now we will illustrate that Parliament is a basic part of UK politics. Its main roles include below three aspects: Firstly, examining and challenging the work of the government (scrutiny). Secondly, debating and passing all laws (legislation). Thirldly, enabling the government to raise taxes.

Furthermore, the House of Commons is made up of 646 Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by voters. MPs should represent the views of the people in their constituency (local area) in Parliament. The House of Commons makes laws and carefully checks what the Government is doing. However, the House of Lords (also known as House of Peers for ceremonial purposes) is the upper houseof the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as "the Lords". Membership of the House of Lords was once a right of birth to hereditary peers, but following a series of reforms these now only form a portion of the membership. As of October 2009 the House of Lords has 724 members, 78 more than the 646-seat House of Commons. The House of Lords, like the House of Commons, assembles in the Palace of Westminster.

Moreover, in this country we have a hereditary monarch which means that the title is passed through the family. The monarch used to have a lot more power than they do now. Whenever a new Bill is passed (new law made), the Queen has to agree to it, but this is really a formality and the last time a monarch refused to agree to it was in 1707.

Finally, the essay explains the 'Royal State Opening of Parliament'. The State Opening of Parliament marks the beginning of the parliamentary session. Its main purpose is for the monarch formally to open Parliament and, in the Queen's Speech, deliver an outline of the Government's proposed policies, legislation for the coming session and a review of the last session.

The Introduction of Halloween

Halloween is celebrated on evening of 31 October by many western people. It is the eve of the Festival of all Hallows. Furthermore, people celebrated the Celts' new year is on Nov.1 which stands for the end of summer and the beginning of the winter's dark. Many people from all age groups will take part in the event and there are a lot of interesting things will be happened in this night.

Firstly, in the evening you will see many organised parties where children and adults dress up in strange. Secondly, you can carve out your pumpkin according to many designs what you like. Finally, on the night of Halloween, most children will knock on doors and ask somebody to give some candy, and then they always satisfied with thesweet, chocolates, biscuits.

Internation Trade of EU

European Uion plays an important role in global trade area. It provides uniform foreign policy for 27 member states in order to promote peace and progress. At present the EU is the world's largest supplier of humanitarian aid and occupied the 55% of global aid. They declared the production of export will increase to 70 percent by 2010.

With the WTO involved, the European Uion is negotiating with some developing countries at a bilateral level. Furthermore the EU sent Free Trade Agreement negotiations with India, South Korea and countries from the Association of South-East Asian Nations. They are trying their best to develop the co-operation partner and occupy the international market.

The Differences of Four Nations in British

As we all known British includes England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, but the four nations were always distinct from each other in every aspect of life. Today I will introduce the differences of British Flags and languages.

The Flag of Ireland is known as St. Patrick. A red X-shaped cross on a white field used mainly on church of Ireland. The people in Ireland belongs to the Celtic race and speak Irish Gaelic.

The Flag of Scotland is known as the St. Andrew's cross. A white saltire on a blue field used by Scottish Government and agencies. The people in hignland Scotland belonged to the Celtic race and spoke Scottish Gaelic, but those in lowland Scotland were mainly of Germanic origin which spoke Gaelic dialect.

The Flag of Wales is known as the Y Ddraig Goch. A red passant dragon on a green and white field use by the Welsh Assembly Government and agencies. The people in Wales has their own languages Welsh.

The Flag of England is known as the St. George's Cross. A red cross on a white field used mainly by the church of England. The people in England is same as lowland Scotland which always spoke Germanic dialects.

In the middle ages many castles were built across England and Wales. Nowadays they have become the heritage and symbol in British.

My dream was to visit castles in British when I was a child. Last month my dream was come true. Our student Union organised to visit the castle in Wales during the welcome week. The guide told us the aim of Wales castle is for providing a protective area and giving prisoner into custody at that time. We saw the every room carefully and took a lot of photographs. The guide also said many castles was surrounded a river that is to protect their outer walls. In the castle, there was a secret ways for getting in and out of castle without seen by enemy. We all enrich a lot of knowledge about history of British. After visited it, I feel really castle is very mysterious and grand. It had endured centuries of warfare and got a lot of victories on the war. Human being should protect and prize these culture heritages.

UK quiz

I have a new understand for The british Isles by this class.



First of all, I didn't know how to different from republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland before, and I thought they are the same area and own the same government. Now I knew it.



Secondly, I learned a lot of knowledge about UK, such as geography, history and politic.



The important thing is we knew local well newspapers which was recommended by our totur. I will buy and read them in the future.



All in all, this class is very useful for international student to learn UK.