devolution and metro mayors

what has happened to the distribution of political power in the UK since 1998?

since 1998, powers have been devolved from the central government in westminster to the constituent parts of the UK - scotland wales, NI and to a lesser extent, regions within england

scotland

• Scottish parliament established in 1999

• 129 elected members 

• Controls education, environment, transport 

• Excludes defence, international affairs 

• Following scottish referendum in 2014 the scottish parliament was given powers to raise taxes 

• In December 2017 the Scottish government announced new income tax rates that are different to the rest of the UK. 

wales

• Welsh assembly established in 1999

• 60 elected members 

• Determines budget priorities, administers NHS and administers EU funds

• Has tax raising powers but has never used them

• Excludes defense, international affairs 

• In 2020 welsh assembly became the Senedd Cymru (welsh parliament) 

northern ireland

• Northern irish assembly established 1998

• 90 elected members 

• Power similar to wales 

• Has no tax raising powers 

• Excludes defence, international affairs, raising new taxes 

england

• Plans for elected regional assemblies in England were dropped after voters in the North east rejected the idea in a referendum

• In 2014 the government proposed the Northern Powerhouse to boost economic growth in the North of England championed by the chancellor of the time George Osbourne 

• Greater Manchester was the first area to get extra powers over housing, transport, planning, policing and some health spending 

what nine other regions have devolution deals and seven held ‘metro mayor’ elections?

1. Liverpool city region 

2. Tees valley 

3. West of england 

4. West midlands 

5. Peterborough and cambridgeshire 

6. North of tyne 

7. South yorkshire 

8. North east 

9. West yorkshire 

note - the unitary authorities in these areas still exist and carry out their functions

What was the original composition of the Sheffield City Region, and how did it change?

The original Sheffield City Region included nine local authority areas:

• Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, Barnsley

• Bolsover, Bassetlaw, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, and North East Derbyshire.
  However, the smaller authorities in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire later withdrew, leaving just Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, and Barnsley.

What is the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), and what powers and funding does it have?

Renamed the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), it now has powers over transport and strategic planning.

It receives £30 million a year for 30 years (totaling £900 million) from central government.

In May 2024, Labour's Oliver Coppard was re-elected as Mayor of SYMCA.

independence

On september 18, 2024 a referendum was held in Scotland asking: 

“Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?”

Result: YES - 44.7%               NO- 55.3%

In the run up to the vote all three party leaders signed up for ‘the vow’ to give Scotland more powers.