3.1.1.5 devolution Flashcards
devolution
The transfer of politcal power, but not from sovereignty, from central government to subnational government
primary legislative power
authority to make laws on devolved policy areas
when were devolved institutions established?
1999 but pressure had been building since 1970s
what did the scotland act 1998 do?
-gave the scottish parlaiment primary legislative powers in the range of policy areas, including law and order, health, education, transport, the environment and economic development.
-westminster no longer made laws for scotland on these matters.
major powers of scotland, 2017
-income tax rates and other specified taxes
-health and social services
-abortion law
-all level of education
-economic development
-transport
-justice systems
-elections
major powers of wales, 2017
-welsh rate of income tax
-health and social services
-all levels of education
-elections
-economic development
-transport
-local government
-housing
major powers of northern ireland, 2017
-corporation tax
-health and social services
-all levels of education
-economic development
-environment
-housing
-local government
-justice systems
scotland act 1998
-tax-varying power: it could alter the rate of income tax by 3%
scotland act 2012
-tax varying powers: scotland could set income tax higher or lower
scotland act 2016
compete control over income tax and gave them 50% of the VAT revenue. gave them control of around £15 billion
reserved powers given by the scotland act 1998
-uk constitution
-defence and national security
-foreign policy
-fiscal, economic, monetary systems
-common market for british goods and services
-employment legislation
-social security (however a few powers were devolved to N ireland and scotland)
-broadcasting
-nationality and immigration
-nuclear energy
what does the scotland 2016 act state?
-westminster will not legislate on devolved matters without consent
-the scottish parliament and government are ‘a permanent part of the united kingdom’s constitutional arrangements’
-the scottish parliament and governemt cannot be abolished unless approved by a referendum in scotland
when did a independence refernsum for scotland come into the agenda?
SNP’s landslide victory in the 2011 scottish parlaiment election
who typically voted for independence?
-men, the working class and those under 55
the scotland act 2016 details
-the power to set income tax rates and bands
-some additional taxes and duties including air passenger duty
-the right to recieve 50% of VAT raised in scotland
-control over certain welfare benefits
-road signs and speed limits
-the franchise for scottish parliament
-rail franchises
-onshore gas and oil extraction
how often are elections held?
4 years but this was extended to every 5 years after the wales act 2014