AQA UK Politics: Devolution

What is devolution?

The delegation of power from the UK Parliament in Westminster to assemblies in Cardiff (Wales), Belfast (Northern Ireland, and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

Name 3 key devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament:

Income tax, education and justice, policing and courts

Name 3 areas in which the Scottish Parliament lacks power:

Foreign policy, Brexit negotiations and, defence and national security

Name 3 key devolved powers of the National Assembly of Wales:

Education, transport and agriculture

Name 3 areas in which the National Assembly of Wales lacks power:

Foreign policy, Brexit negotiations and, defence and national security

Name 4 areas in which the Northern Ireland Assembly lacks power:

Foreign policy, Brexit negotiations, defence and national security and income tax

Name 3 key devolved powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly:

Education, health and transport

Devolution: 1997

Referendums are held in Scotland and Wales over devolution, with both countries voting in favour

Devolution: 1998 (2)

1. The Good Friday Agreement leads to a ceasefire of the Troubles in Northern Ireland

2. Scotland Act 1998 gave the Scottish Parliament primary legislative powers in a range of policy areas, including tax-varying powers, meaning it can raise or lower the rate of income tax in Scotland by up to 3%

Devolution: 2006

The Government of Wales Act 2006 enabled the assembly to ask for further powers to be transferred from Westminster, and allowed it to gain primary legislative powers if approved in a referendum (which happened in 2011)

Devolution: 2011

Wales, in a referendum, supports the transfer of greater powers from Westminster

Devolution: 2012

The Scotland Act devolves more tax-raising powers, and allows the Scottish Parliament to borrow up to £2 billion a year

Devolution: 2014

Scotland rejects full independence in a referendum (55% to 45%)

Devolution: 2016

The Scotland Act devolves further powers including control over road signs and onshore oil extraction

Devolution: 2017 (2)

1. The Northern Ireland Assembly is suspended due to a breakdown between the two largest parties

2. Welsh referendum- further powers devolved

What is the West Lothian question?

An issue which deals with the question: why should Scottish MPs be able to vote on English matters at Westminster when English MPs can't vote on devolved matters?

Why did the West Lothian Question arise?

2003 and 2004- legislation on foundation hospitals and tuition fees wouldn't have passed without the votes of Labour MPs from Scotland (Scotland doesn't have tuition fees

What have been the main impacts of devolution on the UK government?

1. It has weakened parliamentary sovereignty, as the power of Westminster has been reduced

2. It has created variations across the UK- for example, prescriptions are free in Wales and Scotland but not in England

What has the main positive impact of devolution?

It has answered calls for greater autonomy and representation in the devolved countries

Name on negative of policy divergence:

Policy divergence has undermined welfare rights in the UK. The fact that same sex marriage is not legal Northern Ireland is an anomaly

What is the Barnett Formula, and what does it show?

The Barnett formula has resulted in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receive more public spending per head of population than England. In 2016, the block grant for Scotland was £28 million, for Wales £14 million and for Northern Ireland £10 million.

This shows that devolution isn't entirely beneficial for all UK countries

What has happened recently to power sharing in Northern Ireland, and what does this show?

There has been no functioning government since 2017, when the DUP and Sinn Fein had a dispute which saw Sinn Fein refuse to nominate a new deputy first minister- shows that devolution hasn't been entirely successful

Why is there currently tension over devolution?

Brexit- has greatened calls for independence in Scotland etc.

As Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all voted to remain in the EU but are leaving as a part of the UK