1.3- devolution

Question 1

what was the vote and turnout of the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum?

Answer 1

74% voted in favour of devolution
60% turnout

Question 2

what was the vote and turnout of the 1997 welsh devolution referendum?

Answer 2

50.5% voted in favour
on a 50% turnout

Question 3

what did the london authority act do?

Answer 3

1999 created a democratically elected mayor and an elected london assembly

Question 4

what powers does the greater london authority have?

Answer 4

• policing, transport, economic development
• e.g ULEZ and congestion charges

Question 5

when was the northern ireland assembly most recently suspended?

Answer 5

2022- 2024

Question 6

When was the Scottish Independence referendum

Answer 6

2014, 55% not in favour of independence, 84.6% turnout

Question 7

what was the result of the 2004 north east devolution referendum?

Answer 7

22% in favour
47.6% turnout

Question 8

What was introduced to combat the West Lothian question

Answer 8

2015 EVEL was introduced, ensured legislation only affecting england recieved a majority of support from english mps
SCRAPPED IN 2021

Question 9

what was the result and turnout of the 1998 referendum on the London Mayor assembly?

Answer 9

34% turnout, 70% voted in favour

Question 10

how much of VAT raised goes to the scottish government?

Answer 10

50%

Question 11

how is scottish income tax different to that of the rest of the UK?

Answer 11

• the higher and top rates of income tax 2% higher than the rest of the UK

Question 12

what % of spending in scottland is generated by hollyrood?

Answer 12

• around 60%

Question 13

what is the sewell convention? when was it codified into law?

Answer 13

• westminster has to get the consent of hollyrood before legislating on a devolved matter
• 2016 scotland act

Question 14

Give a recent example of the use of section 35.

Answer 14

• 2023 westminster struck down the scottish gender recognition act

Question 15

what % of people voted in favour of law making devolution in wales?

Answer 15

• 2011 welsh devolution referendum
• 64% voted in favour

Question 16

what current powers does the northern irish assemby have? how has this changed?

Answer 16

• service devolution: health and social services, education, environment, housing
• has gained very few powers since devolution in 1999

Question 17

what is the name of the system used to determine the allocation of funding to devolved bodies?

Answer 17

• the barnette formula

Question 18

In 2021, how much did funding per head in devolved regions differ from the average funding per head?

Answer 18

• Norther ireland: 14% above
• scotland: 11% above
• waled: 6% above
• england: 2% below

Question 19

how did covid policy vary between devolved bodies?

Answer 19

• after the first lockdown NI and E lifted restrictions faster, opening up non-essential retail and pubs and resturants

Question 20

how does higher education policy differ between devolved bodies?

Answer 20

• E: coalition govt increased fees to £9250 per year and scrapped most grants
• S: no tuition fees (SNP 2008)
• W: capped at £9000, £1000 grants
• NI: tuition fees at around £4600 a year

Question 21

what are the benifits of devolution?

Answer 21

• devolved bodies can implement policy that better reflects their region
• more proportional electoral systems
• has satisfied some demands for independence and helped to prevent the break up of the UK
• peace in northern ireland

Question 22

what are the costs of devolution?

Answer 22

• undermines parliamentary sovereignty
• undermines equal citizenship due to varience in policy
• assymetry of devolution undermines unity
• has fuelled increased nationalism and calls for independence (tensions with westminster)

Question 23

give an example of an insignificant variation in policy?

Answer 23

• wales provides free milk to under 7’s

Question 24

what are the parties that are specific to devolved regions

Answer 24

• plaid cymru
• sinn fein
• SNP
• DUP

Question 25

What was a recent policy introduced by the welsh parliament? How was it undermined by Westminster (not GRA)?

Answer 25

Wales introduced 20mph speed limits
Rishi tried to work through councils to prevent the roll out of the speed limits

Question 26

in what areas of the UK is there strong regional identity?

Answer 26

devon and cornwall

Question 27

give an example of a conflict between metro mayors and uk government.

Answer 27

Andy Burnam (greater manchester) conflict with UK govt over increased covid restrictions. certain areas were put into tear 3, Burnam argued the govt was providing insufficient support. was only given an hour before restrictions were introduced

Question 28

what was the most recent act that devolved further powers to wales? what powers did it get?

Answer 28

2017
- adjust some income tax
- ability to borrow