Devolution

Question 1

What was the reaction to the idea of regional assemblies

Answer 1

Test opinion in the North East decisively rejected the idea in 2004- 78% voted ‘no’

Question 2

What was a significant change to Wales in devolution

Answer 2

A referendum 2011, further powers to the Welsh Assembly

Question 3

What was the result of the Wales 2011 referendum

Answer 3

The Assembly received direct law-making power in all the 20 policy areas , without the need to consult Westminster

Question 4

What was the 2012 Scotland Act (3)

Answer 4

Scottish Parliament received more powers; borrowing powers, right to set its own rate of income tax, control over stamp duty.

Question 5

What was English Votes for English Laws (EVEL)

Answer 5

Concession to English opinion and a solution to the West Lothian question

Question 6

When was EVEL used

Answer 6

First time in 2016, to pass a housing bill without the involvement of Scottish MPs

Question 7

What are ‘reserved powers’ (4)

Answer 7

Powers retained by Westminster; defence, foreign policy, constitutional matters, welfare benefits and important areas of economic policy (including trade, currency and interest rates)

Question 8

What was set up on 1999

Answer 8

The Scottish parliament and government

Question 9

Scottish government policy areas (5)

Answer 9

Policing, Housing, Health and Social services, Education and Economic development

Question 10

Unique powers/policy of Scotland

Answer 10

Scottish students do not pay university fees and free nursing care for the elderly, tax varying powers

Question 11

Further powers given to Scotland, following the Smith Commission in 2015-2016 (3)

Answer 11

Taxation and Welfare. Licensing of onshore oil and Gas.

Question 12

Powers of the Welsh Assembly (5)

Answer 12

Housing, Education, Health, Rescue services and economic development

Question 13

Powers that the Welsh Assembly and government does not have (2)

Answer 13

Has not gained powers over income tax and borrowing. Police and Justice are not devolved areas

Question 14

What is the 1998 Good Friday Agreement

Answer 14

Brought devolution to Northern Ireland, sought to bring unionists and Republicans/nationalists together

Question 15

How has the process of devolution been more uneven in N.Ireland

Answer 15

The Assembly has been suspended multiple times. Notable from 2002-2007

Question 16

Powers of Northern Ireland

Answer 16

Housing, Education, Health and Social Services, Environment and planning, Economic development

Question 17

What has devolution achieved in Northern Ireland

Answer 17

Helped to end violence between the unionists and nationalists by creating a power-sharing system of government

Question 18

What is the limitation of devolution in Scotland

Answer 18

Scottish independence has been revived since 2016, since the SNP argues that the wishes of the majority of Scotland, who wanted to remain, have been ignored.

Question 19

Why does Scotland have a strong devolved government? (2)

Answer 19

• Strong nationalist movement
• History of existing as a separate state; even before devolution it had distinctive institutions
  e. eg different legal and educational systems

Question 20

What are Wales’ concerns for devolution

Answer 20

• Nationalism is politically weaker

- more concerned with protecting cultural identity

Question 21

Northern Ireland concerns for devolution

Answer 21

• faces different issues, due to its background of violent political division
• Creation of a power-sharing form of government is seen as critical to restoring peace