Scotland devolution

• Scottish Parliament has 129 members and is elected using AMS
• The Scotland Act 1998 gave Scotland primary legislative powers in a range of policy areas - law and order, healthcare (National Care Service Bill, and Abortion Services(Safe access zones) Act 2024), education (free uni fees), transport, environment and economic development
• The Scotland Act 2016 gave Scottish Parliament greater legislative powers - income tax rates and bands, some welfare benefits (annual Budget Bill) and housing benefits, and voting age (only in local elections)

  It also gave Scottish Parliament 50% of VAT raised in Scotland
• The 2016 Scotland Act was reactionary to Brexit, as Scotland was overwhelmingly Remain. Giving greater powers to Scotland was a compensatory decision to avoid further dissent
• In 2014, there was a Scottish independence referendum - people voted against it 55/45 with an 87% turnout

  Some still want another independence referendum, especially since Brexit and covid which may have been influential in changing voters' decisions
• Scotland does not have power over the UK constitution due to the principle of Parliamentary Sovereignty which is exerted through the Westminster government. The Scotland Act 1998 states that is doesn't affect the power of the UK to make laws for Scotland. Westminster had the greatest authority in the UK and can even take away the powers given to Scottish Parliament if Parliament allows
• Scotland has no power in foreign policy. The Prime Minister acts as head of government for the UK, and it is preferable for Britain to have similar foreign policy for all nations. Scotland would not immediately become part of the EU directly after leaving the UK as it would still need to undergo the processes to becoming an EU member
• Scotland has no power over energy policy. The reserved powers model means that policy areas that affect the whole of the UK cannot be devolved. Energy, offshore renewables, coal and gas mining, and nuclear sources, have implications on the economy nationally, as well as regionally, so it should be left to Westminster