UK-Devolution

Question 1

key dates

1997

Answer 1

• referendums held in scotland and wales ,of which both vote in favour to have devolved bodies
• are then set up in 1999

Question 2

key dates

1998

Northern ireland

Answer 2

• good friday agreement in ireland leads to ceasefire bringing an end to the troubles - success for devolution

Question 3

key dates

2011

Wales

Answer 3

• referendum held in wales to transfer more power to the welsh government
• won by 73%

Question 4

key dates

2012

Scotland

Answer 4

• scottland act devolves further power to the scottish parliment
• tax raising on income tax
• can borrow up to £2 billion a year

Question 5

key dates

2014

scotland + wales

Answer 5

• scottish independence referendum - 55% voting against
• wales act grants more powers to the welsh government eglandfill tax,bussiness rates and stamp duty

Question 6

key dates

2016

scotland

Answer 6

• the scotland act gives the scottish government more powers
• which was promised after the referendum
• oil extraction, road signs, and to change its electoral system

Question 7

key dates

2017

northern ireland

Answer 7

• northern ireland assembly is suspened due to a breakdown in relations between the DUP and SF (only ending in 2020)

Question 8

key dates

2019

wales

Answer 8

• welsh government is given the power to vary income tax rates
• 2020 welsh government uses its powers to change its name to snned cymru

Question 9

key dates

2022-2024

northern ireland

Answer 9

• northern ireland government shutdown
• elections held in 2022 with SF emerging as the largest party, DUP refused to assent to the election of a speaker as part of a protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol, which meant that the assembly could not continue other business, including the appointment of a new Executive.
• the northeren ireland protocol would’ve created an irish sea border indirectly separating northern ireland from the rest of the UK which the unionists were against

Question 10

Devolved body

Scotish parliment

members , voting system , key powers , largest party

Answer 10

Members: 129
Voting system: Additional member system
Key powers :
- income tax
- health
- education
- justice
- transport
- environment and agriculture
First minister :
Largest party : SNP

Question 11

Devolved body

Welsh parliment

members , voting system , key powers

Answer 11

Members: 60

Members: 60
Voting system: Additional member system

Key powers :
- health
- education
- justice
- transport (20mph speed limit )
- environment and agriculture

Question 12

Devolved body

northern ireland assembly

members , voting system , key powers

Answer 12

Members: 90
Voting system:STV
Key powers :
- health
- education
- justice
- transport
- environment and agriculture

is governed by a coalition with 2 first ministers

Question 13

devolved body

england

Answer 13

key laws :
* ‘english votes for english laws’
* greater london authority act 1999
structure and members:
- 36 met boroughs
- 25 city councils
- mayors

key powers of local government:

Question 14

Give 2 main positives of devolution:

Answer 14

Autonomy- brings decisions closer to the people and reflects differences between nations of the UK; peace- power sharing in Northern Ireland (although since fallen through)

Question 15

Give 2 main negatives of devolution:

Answer 15

EVEL- belief that there should be an English parliament due to the West Lothian question as MPs from the devolved regions vote on English only laws; separatism- policy divergence undermines union + support for independence has increased

Question 16

Explain and analyse three benefits of devolution

Answer 16

intro: devolution- delegation and sharing of power with smaller government bodies away from westminster
1-Strengthens unity of the UK. Believed devolution is a key reason for the result of the 2014 independence referendum 55% voting to remain apart of the UK
2-Policy can be made in tune with local views. Income tax and tuition fees in scotland with help from devolved parties eg SNP and Plaid cymru
3-Reduces centralisation of power in westminster. and has encouraged innovation in policy making, certain pilicies can be tested by the devolved bodies before they are extended eg the smoking ban began in scotland in 2006

Question 17

Explain and analyse the powers of three devolved states

Answer 17

**intro: ** devolution- delegation and sharing of power with smaller government bodies away from westminster
1-Wales: transport, 20mph speed limits,
1998 Wales act
2-Scotland: education tuition fees, income tax, 1998 Scotland act
3-N.Ireland: Agriculture, justice has its own police force ect. 1998 northern ireland Act

Question 18

Explain and analyse three ways that devolution has impacted the uk government

Answer 18

**intro: ** devolution- delegation and sharing of power with smaller government bodies away from westminster
1- Increase in regional parties. SNP became third largest party in the commons in the 2019 election. eg used opposition day in parliment 2024
2- Greater use of different voting systems.
STV in northern ireland. Independence referendum 16 year old votes in scotland.
3- Laws. Some regional laws are inherited by parliament.Indoor Smoking ban introduced by scotland 2006.