1.3 The role and powers of devolved bodies in the UK - Wales

Question 1

Describe Welsh Assembly

Answer 1

o Welsh Assembly created 1998 in Cardiff, granted 20 specified devolved powers not including police and justice or income tax and borrowing like Scotland. Then coalition: after 2011 referendum, able to pass laws in all 20 devolved areas.

Question 2

Since gaining full law-making powers in 2011, the Assembly has passed what 3 laws?

Answer 2

1. Presumed consent for organ donation
2. First nation to scrap prescription charges
3. First nation to introduce carrier bag levy

Question 3

Compare devolution in Scotland from Wales

Answer 3

Unlike in Scotland, police and justice are not devolved areas and the Welsh Assembly has not gained powers over income tax and borrowing

Question 4

Describe how the support for devolution in Wales has changed overtime

Answer 4

• Initially didn’t receive the same support like in Wales

- Nowadays though, its acknowledged by politicians and academics as ‘the settled will’ of the people of Wales

Question 5

Describe NI assembly

Answer 5

o Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast created 1998 following Good Friday Agreement, bringing peace between nationalists and republicans. Power sharing executive, but with less power; NI Assembly suspended by the UK Govt. in London following a breakdown of trust between the unionist and republican groups, once for 5 years 2002-7. Able to legislate on housing, education, agriculture etc. Plus, reserved matters that can be legislated on with consent of NI secretary, a member of UK cabinet, including on financial services.

Question 6

Give an evaluation of devolution in Northern Ireland

Answer 6

Undeniable that the Assembly has been as means to support the peace process but its not as simple as being a success or failure

Question 7

Devolution in Northern Ireland was established after what agreement?

Answer 7

The Good Friday Agreement 1998

Question 8

Give an example to show process of devolution in Northern Ireland has been more uneven than in Wales and Scotland

Answer 8

The Assembly was in a period of suspension until January 2020, after it collapsed in January 2017 due to policy disagreements between its power-sharing leadership, particularly following the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal

Question 9

What was the aim for devolution in Northern Ireland?

Answer 9

To bring together unionists and nationalists

Question 10

What did the Blair government do for devolution in England?

Answer 10

• Established elected mayors supported by the Greater London Assembly
• Tried to extend to regional assemblies; 2004 referendum rejected

Question 11

What did the coalition government do for devolution in England?

Answer 11

• Tried to introduce directly elected ‘metro mayors’ to develop the ‘northern powerhouse’; named by the then chancellor, George Osborne
• Referendums held in Leicester + Liverpool established mayors
• 2012; Bristol elected 1st mayor; remaining 9 cities rejected

Question 12

What did the the Theresa May government do for devolution in England in 2017?

Answer 12

-Metro mayors elected in 8 locations including Greater Manchester (Lab) and Tees Valley (Tory)

Question 13

What are the powers of the metro mayors?

Answer 13

• Develop an economic growth strategy

- Making policy on housing, skills and transport