Devolved Bodies in the UK (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

Devolved bodies in the UK

• 'Devolution' refers to the transfer of power from central government to regional or national bodies

• Under New Labour, the UK experienced a significant expansion of devolution

  • This involved the creation of devolved institutions in Scotland and Wales, and the re-establishment of devolved government in Northern Ireland

Devolution in England

• Devolution in England has taken a different form from the devolved settlements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Powers

• From 2001 onwards, referendums and legislation created elected mayors in cities and regions across England

• These mayors control areas such as transport, housing planning funds, skills funding and some health and social care budgets

Changes

• The number of elected mayors has increased steadily since 2001

• This has allowed for greater regional decision-making in parts of England

Successes

• A range of successful policy initiatives have been introduced that reflect local needs

Failures

• English devolution is patchy and uneven

• Many areas of England lack comparable powers, leading to inconsistencies in governance

Scottish Parliament and Government

• The Scottish Parliament was established following the Scotland Act (1998) and operates under a reserved matters model

Powers

• The Scottish Parliament can legislate on all matters except those explicitly reserved to Westminster

  • It has primary legislative powers over areas such as health, education, transport and aspects of justice

  • Scotland has had tax-varying powers since the Scotland Acts (2012 and 2016)

Changes

• The 2012 and 2016 Scotland Acts increased tax and welfare powers

• The 2014 independence referendum strengthened the mandate for further devolution

Successes

• Free university tuition for Scottish students

• Distinctive NHS policies, such as free prescriptions

• A different strategic response to Covid-19 compared with the rest of the UK

Failures

• Rather than securing the Union, devolution has contributed to the growth of the independence movement

• Tensions with Westminster have increased, for example over the UK government’s veto of the Gender Recognition Act

Welsh Assembly and Government

• The Welsh devolution settlement has evolved significantly since 1998

Powers

• Initially, Wales had secondary legislative powers under a conferred matters model

• Over time, Wales gained primary legislative powers and later moved to a reserved matters model

• The Welsh Parliament now has devolved powers over areas such as health, education and housing

• Limited tax-varying powers were introduced after 2017

Changes

• The Government of Wales Acts (2006, 2014 and 2017) and a referendum in 2011 gradually expanded Welsh powers

Successes

• Distinct public health approaches during Covid-19, including a firebreak lockdown

• Promotion of the Welsh language

• In 2013, Wales introduced the Human Transplantation (Wales) Act, making organ donation opt-out rather than opt-in

  • This policy was later adopted across the UK in 2019

Failures

• Turnout at Welsh elections has remained low, suggesting limited public engagement with devolution

Northern Irish Assembly and Government

• Devolution in Northern Ireland operates under a power-sharing model established by the Good Friday Agreement (1998)

Powers

• Devolved authority over health, education, agriculture and aspects of justice

• Policing and justice powers were transferred in 2007

Changes

• The Good Friday Agreement created a framework requiring cooperation between unionist and nationalist parties

• Despite this, the Assembly has experienced repeated suspensions

Successes

• The establishment of peace and local governance after decades of conflict

• Devolution allowed Northern Ireland to adopt a different approach to abortion legislation compared with the rest of the UK

Failures

• There have been numerous suspensions of the Northern Ireland Assembly

• Post-Brexit arrangements, known as the Windsor Framework, have continued to create political instability in Northern Ireland