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What Public Affairs tests and why it matters
Public Affairs is the civic literacy unit of the NCTJ Diploma. It tests whether candidates understand how power works in the UK — how laws are made, how councils operate, which bodies are accountable to whom, and how journalists can access the information they need to cover those institutions effectively. A reporter who cannot follow a planning committee debate, identify which minister is responsible for a policy, or understand why a council has gone into administration is poorly equipped to cover local and national affairs.
The NCTJ Public Affairs syllabus splits into two papers: National Public Affairs (Parliament, the legislative process, devolved institutions, the court system, major public bodies) and Local Public Affairs (council structures, committee systems, planning, licensing, local elections, local public services). Many providers prepare candidates for both.
Questions are scenario-based: candidates are given a situation and asked to identify the relevant institution, process, or official, or to explain what procedural steps apply. This rewards candidates who understand how the system actually works, not just those who can list institutions from memory.
National Public Affairs: core areas
Parliament
The legislative process through both Houses. How a Bill becomes an Act: First Reading, Second Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage, Third Reading, and Royal Assent. The role of Select Committees and their investigative function. Parliamentary privilege and its implications for reporting.
Devolved Governments
The Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, and Northern Ireland Assembly: their devolved competences, primary legislation powers, and relationships to Westminster. Understanding which matters are reserved (defence, immigration, foreign policy) and which are devolved (health, education, policing in Scotland).
The Court System
The hierarchy of courts in England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Magistrates' Courts, Crown Court, County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, UK Supreme Court, and the European Court of Human Rights. Which court handles which types of case and routes of appeal.
The Executive
Cabinet government, ministerial responsibility, the role of the civil service, special advisers, and government departments. Understanding which Secretary of State is responsible for which policy area. The relationship between ministers and Parliament.
Public Bodies and Quangos
The range of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), arm's-length bodies, and regulators that exercise public power. Examples include Ofcom, the CQC, the Financial Conduct Authority, and NHS England. Understanding how these bodies are accountable and what access journalists have to their proceedings.
EU Residuals and Brexit
Retained EU law and the UK Internal Market. The post-Brexit relationship between UK domestic law and EU-derived legislation in key areas including employment, environment, and trade. The role of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and ongoing regulatory divergence.
Local Public Affairs: council structures and key processes
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Council types | Unitary authorities, two-tier (county + district), metropolitan boroughs, London boroughs, parish and town councils. Know the difference in functions and geography. |
| Executive models | Leader and Cabinet model, directly elected mayor model, and (rare) committee system. Know which powers rest with the executive vs Full Council. |
| Planning | Development management: planning applications, the development plan, material considerations, planning conditions. The difference between planning permission and listed building consent. |
| Licensing | Licensing Act 2003: premises licences, personal licences, licensing committees, the four licensing objectives. Gambling, taxis, and HMO licensing operate under separate regimes. |
| Local elections | Election cycles for different council types. First-past-the-post for most English councils; Supplementary Vote and STV used in some contexts. The role of the Returning Officer and the conduct of counts. |
| Access to information | The Local Government Act 1972 (right to attend meetings, inspect agendas and minutes), the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Know the grounds on which councils may exclude press and public. |
Public Affairs preparation checklist
- I can describe the full legislative journey of a Bill through Parliament from introduction to Royal Assent.
- I know the devolved competences of the Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, and Northern Ireland Assembly.
- I can name the hierarchy of courts in England and Wales and describe which cases each handles.
- I understand the difference between a unitary authority and a two-tier council structure.
- I know which council committee makes planning decisions and what grounds can be used to exclude press.
- I understand the retained EU law framework and can identify areas still affected by EU-derived legislation.
- I have worked through NCTJ past paper questions for both National and Local Public Affairs.
- I can explain the difference between primary and secondary legislation and give an example of each.
Practice public affairs knowledge
Our NCTJ readiness quiz covers public affairs scenario questions drawn from past paper formats.
Common mistakes on the Public Affairs papers
- Confusing devolved and reserved matters — immigration and defence are Westminster; health and education are devolved to Scotland.
- Muddling council types — not every local area has a district council; unitary authorities handle all local government functions.
- Assuming all council meetings are open — exclusion of press and public is lawful for certain confidential agenda items.
- Treating the legislative process as linear — Bills are frequently amended at Committee and Report Stage in ways that change their content significantly.
- Not knowing the difference between a Select Committee (scrutiny) and a Public Bill Committee (legislation).
- Underestimating the planning section — development management procedure is detailed and frequently tested.