1.3 The roles and powers of devolved bodies in the UK - Scotland

Question 1

What is Devolution?

Answer 1

The process in which legal power - but not local sovereignty - has been distributed away from the political centre

Question 2

What is ‘administrative’ devolution?

Answer 2

Controls over the allocation of public funds, the nature of administration, the ways laws are enacted, the way laws are implemented, passage of secondary legislation

Question 3

What is financial devolution?

Answer 3

Refers to the ability of the devolved administration to raise its own taxes

Question 4

What is legislative devolution?

Answer 4

Controls over the ability to make primary legislation - laws - has passed to the devolved institution

Question 5

Brief summary of the Scottish Parliament and Government

Answer 5

• Strong nationalist movements as Parliament has received more powers
• History of existence as a separate state; different legal and education systems before devolution

Question 6

When and were was the Scottish Parliament and Government set up?

Answer 6

Set up in Edinburgh in 1999

Question 7

Give 5 restrictions on the powers of the Scottish Parliament

Answer 7

1. Can only legislate in relation to Scotland
2. Cannot legislate on a ‘reserved’ matter
3. Cannot legislate if the law conflicts with EU law
4. Cannot legislate if the law breaks the ECHR
5. Cannot legislate to amend the devolution settlement

Question 8

Give 5 ways in which the Scottish Parliament and government have changed Scotland and Scottish law in many ways

Answer 8

1. Care for elderly in homes is free
2. No tuition fees for Scottish students studying at Scottish universities
3. Banned fox hunting before England and Wales
4. 2010, Scottish parliament introduced minimal alcohol unit pricing in attempt to reduce binge drinking

Question 9

Since 2011, what has Scottish politics been focused on?

Answer 9

The constitutional question

Question 10

How many scots feel good about devolution

Answer 10

with only 33% of Scottish people feeling that the Scottish parliament has had an impact on their life.

Question 11

How much has scottish devolution cost?

Answer 11

A report in 2004 found that devolution had led to nearly 1,000 more officials involved in the central administration than before devolution, costing an extra £20 million, devolution cost, overall, £650 million per year to maintain.