Devolved Bodies

• DEVOLUTION IN SCOTLAND 


  Scottish parliament and government were set up in 1999 in Edinburgh. The parliament consists of 129 MSPs, elected every 4 years using AMS. It scrutinises the work of the scottish government.
• DEVOLUTION IN SCOTLAND

  The Scottish government devises and implements policy matters devolved to Scotland, and proposes an annual budget to parliament. The head of the government is known as the First Minister, currently John Swinney
• DEVOLUTION IN SCOTLAND

  the Scottish government is allowed to vary income tax by 3p above or below the UK rate, although this power has never been used. Scotland has used its other devolved powers to develop a distinct position for Scotland on social policy. FOR EXAMPLE, Scottish student do not pay university fees and there is free nursing care for the elderly.
• DEVOLUTION IN SCOTLAND

  in 2016 there was another break with the general direction of UK policy when the Scottish government ended the right of council tenants to buy their own homes - something started in the 1980s by Thatcher.
• DEVOLUTION IN SCOTLAND

  The Calman Commission led by Gordon Brown's government led in 2012 granted Scotland the additional Powers of

  • Taxation powers, including the right to set a Scottish income tax rate, control stamp duty, and landfill tax
  • Borrowing powers
  • regulation of air weapons
  • drink driving alcohol limits
• DEVOLUTION IN SCOTLAND

  the Scottish referendum on independence held in 2014, followed by the establishment of the Smith Commission, led to further powers being transferred in 2015-16 mainly relating to taxation and welfare. New powers include control over air passenger duty, licencing onshore oil and gas prospecting, and some welfare benefits. The changes mean that the parliament now has control over taxation representing 36% of devolved expenditure, compared to less than 10% of when it was first established.
• DEVOLUTION IN WALES

  The National Assembly in Wales is based in Cardiff and was set up in 1999 Assembly Members (AMs) are voted in using AMS and there is only 60 of them. The Welsh government was originally in the Assembly before they were separated in 2006. The current First Minister of Wales is Vaughan Gething
• DEVOLUTION IN WALES

  unlike in Scotland police and justice are not devolved to Wales and it has not gained the powers for taxation or borrowing, since 2011 it has been able to pass laws on all 20 devolved areas without the conformation of Westminister
• DEVOLUTION IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  devolution was established in NI in 1998 with the 'Good Friday agreement' which sought to bring the two communities together (Unionists and Nationalists) - these two often also fit the religions of Ireland (Unionists = protestants Nationalists = catholicism)
• DEVOLUTION IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  the creation of a powersharing executive in which both sides were to represented, was the most important feature. The process of devolution has been more uneven than in Scotland and Wales. The NI assembly has been suspended by the UK on more than once following a breakdown of trust between the unionists and republican groups (once for nearly 5 years in 2002-2007)
• DEVOLUTION IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  located in Belfast and consists of 90 members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) elected by STV. STV ensures the representation of both sides rather than a domination of one of the parties which lead to the powersharing government. the legislative is headed by the first minister and deputy first minister (Michelle O'Neill & Emma Little-Pengelly). Seats in the assembly are allocated in proportion ot the parties strengths in the assembly. Can make decision on transferred matters
• DEVOLUTION IN NORTHERN IRELAND 


  in addition, there are several 'reserved matters' that are normally the domain of Westminister but on which the assembly can legislate with the consent of the Northern Ireland secretary. these include financial services, broadcasting, consumer safety, and firearms
• DEVOLUTION AND ITS IMPACT

  Devolution in England: Elected Mayors - in 2000 the Blair government established an elected mayor in London, supported by the greater London assembly. The government tried to extend this by creating elected regional assemblies, but the idea failed to win support. Only one referendum took place, in the North-East, where the idea was heavily defeated by 78% 'no' vote in 2004
• DEVOLUTION AND ITS IMPACT

  Devolution In England: Elected Mayors - the coalition government tried to reintroduce the idea of directly elected 'metro mayors' to develop what the then chancellor, George Osbourne, called the 'Northern Powerhouse'. Twelve citys held referendums: Leicester and liverpool established mayors, with Britsol electing their first mayor in 2012 and the remaining 9 cities rejected mayors.
• DEVOLUTION AND ITS IMPACT

  In 2017 'metro mayors were elected in Greater Manchester, Liverpool city region, the West Midlands, Tees Valley, West of England, Cambridgeshire, and Peterborough. Sheffield City Region elected Labour MP Dan Jarvis as mayor in 2018
• DEVOLUTION AND ITS IMPACT

  The new Metro Mayors' powers vary but include developing an economic growth strategy and making policy on housing, skills and transport. Unlike existing city mayors or local council leaders who make decisions for their local authority, mayors have responsibilities and powers across the city regions. This does not include the mayor of London and the greater London authority, who have different powers.
• HAS DEVOLUTION BEEN A SUCCESS: YES

  • Has not led to the breakdown of the UK
  • Devolved assemblies are very popular in the regions and no main parties are suggesting they should be overturned
  • Welsh Interest in devolution has increased as has their demand for greater powers for their assembly
  • has secured a peaceful environment in NI for 20 years - a huge achievement
  • elected mayors have led to greater regional identity in England
• HAS DEVOLUTION BEEN A SUCCESS: NO

  • different policies were necessary to support the different devolved bodies in different ways
  • England has been short-changed in the devolution settlement
  • This has left the West Lothian question unresolved
  • Interest in devolution is low as shown in the turnout rates
  • Scottish desire for independence has increased dramatically since the arrival of the Scottish parliament