Devolution Flashcards
How many seats are in the Scottish Parliament
129
What voting system is used in the Scottish Parliament
Additional Member System (AMS)
How many seats are in the Welsh Parliament
60
How many seats are in the Northern Ireland Assembly
90
What voting system is used in the Welsh Parliament
AMS
What voting system is used in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Single Transferable Vote (STV)
Where does the Scottish Parliament have power
Agriculture
Environment
Income tax
Education
Health
Transport
Justice, policing and courts
Where does the Welsh Parliament have power
Agriculture
Environment
Education
Health
Transport
Fire and rescue services
Where does the Northern Ireland Assembly have power
Agriculture
Environment
Education
Health
Transport
Enterprise, trade and investment
Where does the Scottish Parliament lack power
Foreign policy
Brexit negotiations
Defence and national security
Trade and Industry
Where does the Welsh Parliament lack power
Foreign policy
Brexit negotiations
Defence and national security
Where does the Northern Ireland Assembly lack power
Income tax
Foreign policy
Brexit negotiations
Defence and national security
In 1997 which countries had referendums over devolution? What was the result like in both?
Scotland and Wales
Decent size in Scotland very small in Wales
What agreement was signed in 1998
Good Friday Agreement
When were the devolved assemblies set up in Wales and Scotland
1999
What was the referendum in 2011 about? What was the result?
Wether Wales wanted more powers
63% Yes
37% No
What Act was passed in 2012? What did it give powers to do?
Scotland Act
Some tax raising powers (income tax) and allowed them to borrow up to £2 billion a year
What happened in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum? What was the result?
Rejected full independence in a referendum
55% No
45% Yes
What Act was passed in 2014? What powers did it grant?
Wales Act
More powers including stamp duty, business rates and landfill tax
What Act was passed in 2016? What power did it give?
Scotland Act
Further powers including control over road signs and onshore oil extraction
Could change electoral system with a 2/3 majority by the Scottish Parliament
What was suspended in 2017? Why?
The Northern Ireland Assembly
Breakdown in relations between the DUP and Sinn Fein
What Act was passed in 2017? What powers were given?
The Wales Act
Similar to the Scotland Act 2016, excluding the power to set income tax rates/bands
When was Wales allowed to vary income tax rates
2019
What did Wales do in 2020?
Used power under the Wales Act 2017 to change its name to Welsh Parliament
Has devolution worked - yes
Strengthened the union - Scotland voted to stay
Power have been expanded since 1997
Consolidated peace in Northern Ireland
Enabled greater legislative autonomy
Has devolution worked - no
Scottish referendum was close and many want a second vote
Limited in Northern Ireland
Tensions remain in Northern Ireland
Unevenness across UK
Which region is the only one without a devolved assembly
England
Where are single tier unitary authorities seen in England? Examples?
Large cities and urban areas
Birmingham and Portsmouth
What do Two-tier local councils compromise? Where are they mainly found?
County councils and district councils
Found in more rural and less densely populated areas
What are some of the key functions of English local governments
Provision of education, social care, waste collection and social housing
How many cities and regions have metro mayors? Example
9
Tees valley - Ben Houchen
What are the limitations on local government
Limited legislative powers
Revenue raising powers tightly controlled by central government
Central government decides a lot
