GCSECitizenship StudiesEdexcelRevision NotesB. Democracy at Work in the UK3. How Is Power Shared Between Westminster & the Devolved Administrations?Views on Devolution & Independence

Views on Devolution & Independence (Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

Exam code: 1CS0

Lisa Eades

Written by: Lisa Eades

Reviewed by: Steve Vorster

Updated on

Should power be devolved to English regions?

  • England does not have its own devolved parliament or assembly

    • The UK Parliament at Westminster makes laws for England as well as the whole UK

Arguments for devolving power to English regions

Arguments against devolving power to English regions

  • Devolution brings decision-making closer to local people

  • Regional leaders may better understand local needs and priorities

  • It can reduce over-centralisation of power in Westminster

  • Devolution can improve democratic participation and accountability

  • Regions can tailor policies on transport, housing and skills to their area

  • It can create confusion about who is responsible for decisions

  • Different regions may receive unequal levels of power and funding

  • It may weaken national unity within England

  • Turnout and engagement in regional elections may be low

  • It can be expensive to set up and run additional layers of government

Regional and local powers

  • Strategic Mayoral Authorities (Combined Authorities) operate in some English regions

    • They have powers over transport, housing, economic development and skills

  • Police and emergency services

    • Police forces operate regionally and are now increasingly overseen by directly elected mayors

  • Health

    • The NHS in England is managed nationally but delivered locally through NHS bodies

  • Local government

    • England has unitary authorities, which provide all local services in their area.

    • Below this level are town and parish councils, which deal with very local issues

Case Study

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Map of Greater Manchester, England, showing ten boroughs in different colours: Wigan, Bolton, Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, Tameside, Stockport, Manchester, Trafford, Salford.
Councils in the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area

What is the GMCA?

  • The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is a Strategic Mayoral Authority made up of 10 neighbouring local councils

  • It was created to allow decisions about the region to be made closer to local people rather than by central government

Powers and responsibilities

  • The GMCA is led by a directly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, who works with the local councils

  • The authority has powers over transport, including buses and major roads, housing and planning, economic growth, and skills and employment

  • It also has responsibility for the police budget

Impact

  • Greater Manchester has used devolved powers to introduce bus franchising, improve transport links and coordinate economic development across the region

Should Scotland be independent?

  • In 2014, Scotland held a referendum asking voters whether they thought Scotland should be an independent country

    • All Scottish residents aged 16 and over were allowed to vote, extending the franchise below the usual age of 18

    • 55.3% voted against independence, but the debate continues

Arguments in favour of Scottish independence

Arguments against Scottish independence

  • Supporters say independence would give Scotland full control over its own laws, taxes and public spending, instead of decisions being made at Westminster

  • Many Scots who favour independence want the country to rejoin the European Union

    • They see as beneficial for trade, travel and international influence

  • Independence supporters argue that Scotland has a distinct political identity and priorities from the rest of the UK that could be better served by a sovereign Scottish state.

  • Opponents worry that independence could create economic uncertainty, including questions about currency, trade and borrowing

  • Many argue Scotland benefits from being part of the United Kingdom

    • This includes shared defence, public services and a large internal market

  • Some Scots believe the issues facing Scotland — such as public services, cost of living and jobs — are better handled within the UK framework

Current polling and attitudes to independence

  • Recent surveys show Scotland remains divided on independence

    • Polls often find support very close to 50% for each side when undecided voters are excluded

  • The Scottish National Party (SNP) continues to argue for a second referendum

    • However, the UK Supreme Court has said the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate for it without UK government approval.

  • Scottish political leaders say another referendum could be possible if pro-independence parties win a majority in the Scottish Parliament

The West Lothian question

  • The West Lothian question asks whether MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be allowed to vote on laws that only affect England

    • It highlights a fairness issue created by devolution, as English MPs cannot vote on devolved matters in Scotland

  • Many laws passed at Westminster apply only to England, such as education or health policy

    • MPs from devolved nations can still vote on these English-only laws

    • This can affect outcomes, even though those MPs’ own constituencies are not affected

Arguments that the situation is unfair

Arguments for keeping the current system

  • Critics argue that English laws should be decided only by English MPs

  • They believe the current system gives MPs from devolved nations extra influence

  • Some see this as undermining democratic equality within the UK

  • Supporters argue that all MPs are elected to the UK Parliament and should have equal voting rights

  • Some laws mainly affecting England can still have financial or political effects on the whole UK

  • Others argue that excluding MPs could weaken the unity of Parliament

Attempts to address the issue

  • The UK government introduced “English Votes for English Laws” (EVEL) in 2015

    • EVEL required English-only laws to be approved by English MPs as well as the whole House of Commons

    • However, it was abolished in 2021, returning all voting power to all MPs

  • The West Lothian question therefore remains unresolved

    • It continues to be debated alongside wider discussions about devolution, English identity and the future of the UK

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Author
Reviewer
Lisa Eades

Author: Lisa Eades

Expertise: Business Content Creator

Lisa has taught A Level, GCSE, BTEC and IBDP Business for over 20 years and is a senior Examiner for Edexcel. Lisa has been a successful Head of Department in Kent and has offered private Business tuition to students across the UK. Lisa loves to create imaginative and accessible resources which engage learners and build their passion for the subject.

Steve Vorster

Reviewer: Steve Vorster

Expertise: Economics & Business Subject Lead

Steve has taught A Level, GCSE, IGCSE Business and Economics - as well as IBDP Economics and Business Management. He is an IBDP Examiner and IGCSE textbook author. His students regularly achieve 90-100% in their final exams. Steve has been the Assistant Head of Sixth Form for a school in Devon, and Head of Economics at the world's largest International school in Singapore. He loves to create resources which speed up student learning and are easily accessible by all.