Devolution

Question 1

What was the initial powers of the Scottish parliament?

Answer 1

It was created in 1998 and was given primary legislative powers, they could vary income tax by 3p to a pound.

Question 2

What did the Scotland Act 2012 do?

Answer 2

It gave more powers regarding income tax by increasing it to 10p per pound and giving more control over other taxes.

Question 3

What did the Scotland Act 2016 do?

Answer 3

Now able to set own income tax rates, Scottish VAT revenue would now remain within Scotland. Devo Max after the 2014 independence referendum.

Question 4

Give 3 examples of notable acts passed in the Scottish parliament?

Question 5

What were the initial powers of the Welsh Assembly?

Answer 5

It was granted secondary legislative powers, it could not freely legislative in devolved areas and had to follow frameworks set out by Westminster.

Question 6

What did the Wales Act 2006 do?

Answer 6

It caused a referendum on increasing the powers of the Welsh Assembly, it was held in 2011 and resulted in a yes vote for primary legislative powers. 63% to 37%.

Question 7

What did the Wales Act 2014 do?

Answer 7

Gave the government more powers over tax.

Question 8

What did the Wales Act 2017 do?

Answer 8

It built upon the 2014 act, it gave tax varying powers of 10p and moved to a reserved powers model which enables them to legislate on things not reserved for Westminster.

Question 9

What did the Welsh Assembly do in May 2020?

Answer 9

They changed it’s name to the Welsh Parliament.

Question 10

What did the Northern Ireland Act 2010 do?

Answer 10

As part of the peace process from the troubles it gave Northern Ireland control over police and criminal justice.

Question 11

What did the Northern Ireland Act 2015 do?

Answer 11

It allowed executive to set up its own corporation tax.

Question 12

Discuss the collapse of power sharing in Northern Ireland?

Answer 12

It collapsed from 2002 - 2007 and was only restored by the 2006 St Andrews Agreement which established that Westminster cannot suspend the assembly without emergency legislation.

It also collapsed from 2017-2020 and then 2022-2024.

Question 13

How did they attempt to solve the East Lothian Question?

Answer 13

EVEL was introduced in 2015 and made it so that in certain areas of legislation only effecting England only English MPs could vote on the matter however, it was removed in 2021.

Question 14

What powers to regional mayors generally have?

Answer 14

They have control over the local budget and can implement various policies such as free buses in Manchester.

Question 15

What are the arguments in favour of devolution being successful?

Answer 15

• The UK remains United.
• The local assemblies are popular with local populations and in turn provide stability.
• They helped to support peace in Northern Ireland.

Question 16

What are the arguments against devolution being successful?

Answer 16

• Part of why it was introduced in Scotland was to reduce calls for independence however, this has only increased.
• Interest in devolution is low in England and turnout is generally very little.
• England is left less devolved than other nations leaving the West Lothian Question unsolved.

Question 17

What are the arguments in favour of further devolution?

Answer 17

• It would increase fairness as England is the only region without any form of devolved assembly in turn solving the West Lothian Question.
• Move towards a more federal system.
• Helps solves issues with EVEL as Scottish MPs still have same value.
• Some demand from areas with strong regional identity such as Yorkshire and Cornwall.

Question 18

What are the arguments against further devolution?

Answer 18

• England is far bigger than the other areas therefore a devolved English Parliament would have a disproportionate level of power.
• There is little demand for regional assemblies or an English Parliament from the public.
• Some areas of England have little regional identity and would likely not care.
• City Mayors have already started to resolve this issue.