Government in Constituent Parts of the UK (Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

What is devolution?

• Devolution involves the transfer of power and decision-making from central government to regional and local bodies

  • This process has aimed to make government more responsive to local needs

• Greater powers have been given to devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Devolution in Scotland

• Scotland has a Scottish Parliament with extensive law-making powers

• It also has limited tax-raising powers, making it one of the most devolved parts of the UK

• The Scottish Parliament sits in Edinburgh, in the Scottish Parliament Building at Holyrood

• It is made up of 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), who are elected to represent people across Scotland

Devolved powers

• The Scottish Parliament controls:

  • Justice and policing

  • Social security

  • Health and education

  • Local and national elections

  • Equal opportunities

  • Abortion law

• It also has powers over certain taxes and economic issues, including:

  • Stamp Duty

  • Landfill tax

  • Air Passenger Duty

  • Onshore oil and gas extraction

Local government

• Scotland has 32 single-tier councils

  • These organisations, such as Glasgow City Council, provide all local services

• Scotland also has community councils.

  • These are similar to parish councils but are mainly advisory with limited legal powers

Devolution in Wales

• Wales has a devolved parliament called the Senedd

• It can legislate on any issue not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament

  • This brought Wales in line with Scotland and Northern Ireland

• The Welsh Parliament sits in Cardiff

• It is made up of 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs), who are elected to represent people across Wales

Devolved powers

• The Senedd has powers over:

  • Health, education and transport

  • Welsh language policy

  • Road signs and speed limits

  • Welsh elections

  • Equal opportunities

• It also has powers over:

  • Onshore oil and gas

  • Landfill tax

  • Stamp Duty

Local government

• Wales has 22 unitary authorities, such as Cardiff City Council

• Below this are around 730 community and town councils

  • These have a similar role to parish councils in England

Devolution in Northern Ireland

• Northern Ireland has a high level of devolution, including areas not devolved elsewhere

• It has a devolved Assembly with law-making powers

  • The Assembly must operate as a multi-party power-sharing government

• The Northern Ireland Assembly sits at Stormont in Belfast

• It is made up of 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), who are elected to represent people across Northern Ireland

Devolved powers

• The Assembly has powers over:

  • Justice and policing

  • Employment law

  • Social security and child support

  • Energy policy

  • Charity law

  • Equal opportunities

  • Air Passenger Duty

Local government

• There are 11 unitary district councils

  • These councils, such as Belfast City Council, provide local services such as planning, waste and leisure