Devolution

aims of devolution

• enhance democracy

• greater representation

• decentralisation

• modernise uk politics

• reduce nationalism

• establish peace in NI

scottish devolution

• has most power

• key powers - income tax, primary legislative, administrative powers

• devolved policies- taxation, health, law , enviornment, education, elections and welfare

• 129 MSPs in scot parl

• constitutional powers- controls own composition and electoral systems- scot act only abolished w referendum

• IMPACTS- rise of SNP - scottish nationalism - west lothian q

welsh gov

• tax vary powers, primary legislative, administrative powers

• policy areas- limited tax varying, health, enviornment, education, elections, tourism

• 60 welsh assembly members growth in support for devolution- but changin 96 in new elections act- change electoral system and constituency structure

Northern Ireland

• corporation tax, primary legislative, administrative

• POLICY AREAS- health, welfare, law , police, elections, enviornment, education

• 108 members

• created peace w good friday agreement

• power sharing until 2017

• The Renewable Heat Incentive scandal, also called the "cash-for-ash" scandal, lasted from 2012 to 2017

• McGuinness resigned from his post in January 2017, bringing an end to almost a decade of unbroken devolution. Sinn Féin withdrew from the Assembly, and a fresh election was held on 2 March 2017.

devolved nations have no power over

• foreign policy

• brexit negociations

• defence+ national security

• northern ireland - income tax

Does england need more devolution YES

• england lacks assembly

• solve west lothian q

• devolved assemblies provide further local devolution

• counters english nationalism

Does england need more devolution NO

• Eng parl dominates gov

• extra expenses

• regional assembly rejected by north east in 2004

impact of devolution on uk gov

• reduces power of uk gov

• limits parl sovereignty

• creates a quasi-federal state

west lothian q

• MP’s from devolved area can vote on issues in eng but english MP’s cannot vote on problems concerning other areas

Has devolution been beneficial YES

• improved democracy

• local regions can prioritise local concerns

• peace in NI
  sense of britishness remains as no independent scotland

Has devolution been beneficial NO

• unequal representation

• west lothian q

• different standards of provisions across uk

• increased nationalism

• lack of national coherence

barnett formula

• formula allcoates funds to devolved nations

Explain and analyse three ways that powers have been devolved to Scotland

Legislative Devolution via the Scottish Parliament

• Explanation: Scotland has its own Parliament, established by the Scotland Act 1998, with power to make laws on devolved issues.

• Analysis: This allows Scotland to legislate on areas like health, education, and justice. For example, Scotland abolished university tuition fees and introduced minimum alcohol pricing.

• However: Powers can still be overridden by Westminster due to parliamentary sovereignty, though this is politically controversial.

2. Taxation and Financial Powers

• Explanation: The Scotland Act 2012 and 2016 gave the Scottish Government greater fiscal autonomy, including control over income tax rates and bands, and certain welfare powers.

• Analysis: This allows for more policy divergence and accountability. For instance, Scotland has used these powers to create a more progressive income tax system.

• However: It still relies on the Barnett formula, meaning it doesn't have full control over its budget.

3. Policy Autonomy in Reserved vs. Devolved Matters

• Explanation: Scotland controls a wide range of devolved matters (e.g. health, education, transport), while Westminster retains control over reserved matters (e.g. defence, immigration).

• Analysis: This means Scotland can develop distinctive public policies—for example, keeping NHS prescriptions free.

• However: Tensions can arise when devolved and reserved powers overlap, especially post-Brexit (e.g. over trade and internal markets).

Explain and analyse three ways that powers have been devolved to Wales

• Creation of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament)

  • Explanation: The Government of Wales Act 1998 established the Welsh Assembly (now called Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament), giving Wales a devolved legislature.

  • Analysis: Initially had limited powers, but successive acts (especially 2011 and 2017) have expanded its legislative competence. The Senedd can now make laws in devolved areas like health, education, and transport.

  • However: Its powers are still more limited than Scotland's, reflecting Wales’s more gradual path to devolution.(Members and Elections) Act 2024 passed in June 2024.

• Changes to the Welsh voting system:

  • Senedd size increased from 60 to 96 representatives.

  • Electoral system change: Shift from Additional Member System (AMS) to a Closed Party List System using the D'Hondt Formula.

• Health care- abolished prescription charges 2007- higher rate chronic illness- March 2025, the Welsh Senedd passed the Food (Promotion and Presentation) (Wales) Regulations Act to restrict unhealthy food marketing in supermarkets (e.g., bans near tills and aisle ends).- Education- own qualifications under curriculum for wales 2022

Explain and analyse three ways powers have been devolved to N. Ireland

1. Establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Legislative Devolution)

• Explanation: Northern Ireland has its own legislature, the Northern Ireland Assembly, created by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 after the Good Friday Agreement.

• Analysis: This body can pass laws on devolved matters like health and education. However, it has faced frequent suspensions due to political instability (e.g. 2017–2020, and 2022–2024), weakening effective devolution.

2. Power-Sharing Executive

• Explanation: Devolution in NI includes a unique mandatory coalition, where unionist and nationalist parties must share executive power.

• Analysis: Ensures both communities are represented, promoting peace. However, disagreements (e.g., over the Irish language or Brexit Protocols) often cause gridlock or breakdowns in governance.

3. Control over Specific Policy Areas

• Explanation: The Assembly controls key areas such as education, health, policing, and justice.

• Analysis: Enables regionally tailored policies (e.g., free prescriptions remain in NI, while they were scrapped in England). However, reserved matters (e.g., foreign affairs, defence) still lie with Westminster, limiting autonomy.

Explain and analyse three ways that devolved power has been retained in England

1. West Lothian Question and Lack of English Parliament

• Point: England does not have its own devolved parliament or assembly.

• Explanation: Unlike Scotland or Wales, England’s laws are made by the UK Parliament, dominated by English MPs.

• Analysis: This means devolved power is essentially retained at Westminster, where England-only laws are passed.

• Example: Education and health policies for England are decided by the UK government.

2. Limited Powers of Metro Mayors and Combined Authorities

• Point: Some English regions have elected mayors (e.g. Greater Manchester) but with limited powers.

• Explanation: These mayors have control over areas like transport and policing but not full legislative power.

• Analysis: Power remains centralised as Whitehall retains control over most areas of policy.

• Example: Metro mayors cannot pass primary legislation; they rely on powers devolved by central government.

  3. Financial Control Remains Centralised

• Point: Central government retains significant control over taxation and funding.

• Explanation: Most funding for local and regional bodies in England comes from central grants.

• Analysis: Without fiscal autonomy, devolved bodies cannot fully control their own policies.

• Example: Council tax and business rates are locally raised, but major funding decisions come from Westminster

Explain and analyse three ways that devolution has impacted the UK Government

* Reduced legislative powers- decentralisation- - Scotland legislature alcohol

* Increased complexity in policy coordination- covid policy divergence- scotland rules- public confusion

* Questions about future union- uk gov manage tensions- brexit negociations NI border- scotland independence