UK Government: 2.1.3.1 Devolution Flashcards
Define devolution.
Process of delegating power to specific regions of the state (also to England)
Does sovereignty change with devolution and why?
-Sovereignty doesn’t change ( in this case the UK legal authority remains in Westminster)
-Westminster can take this back at any time so they still have Pelrimentry Soverity
When was the Scottish, Welsh and NI assembly established?
1998
What is the Scottish Parliament also called?
Holyrood
What is the Welsh Parliament also called?
Senedd Cymru
What is the Northern Irish Assembly also called?
Stormont
What are devolved powers?
Powers given to each region by Westminster.
What are reserved powers? Give examples
Powers that are retained by Westminster.
What is the cost of medical prescriptions in Wales?
Medical prescriptions are free in Wales.
What is the cost of medical prescriptions in England?
Prescriptions cost £9.90 in England.
What is the tuition fee for ‘home’ students in Scotland?
‘Home’ students can have their university tuition fully paid for in Scotland.
What is the tuition fee for students in England?
Tuition costs £9,250 a year in England.
What are some examples of key reserved powers?
Examples of key reserved powers include Defence, Foreign Policy, and Constitutional Policy.
What significant legislation was passed in 2012 regarding Scotland’s powers?
The Scotland Act is passed, giving new taxation and borrowing powers (e.g. income tax rate can be amended by 10%).
How many Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are there?
The Scottish Parliament is made up of 129 MSPs, selected by the Additional Member System.
What is the status of the SNP government as of 2024?
As of 2024, the SNP are in a minority government.
What was the outcome of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?
Scotland votes NO by 55.3%.
What powers were granted by the Scotland Act passed in 2016?
Control over railways, social care, and 50% of VAT received.
What did Cameron pledge regarding Scotland’s fiscal autonomy?
Cameron pledges ‘devo max’ - full fiscal autonomy, though this is yet to happen.
What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2022 regarding a second referendum?
The Supreme Court ruled that the Scottish government does not have the power to hold a second referendum.
What do opinion polls show about Scottish independence as of 2024?
Opinion polls show that 56% remain opposed to independence, with 44% in favour.
What did the Government of Wales Act 2006 provide?
It gave the Senedd power to ask for further devolved powers and optioned primary legislative powers if agreed by referendum (64% voted YES in 2011).
How many Members of the Senedd are there currently?
The Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru) is made up of 60 MSs selected by the Additional Member System.
What will the composition of the Senedd be as of 2026?
The Senedd will increase to 96 members picked by a Closed List System.
What powers did the Wales Act 2014 grant?
It gave powers over stamp duty and landfill taxes.
What powers did the Wales Act 2017 grant?
It gave the Senedd power to alter income tax rates by 10p, and powers over fracking and rail franchises.
What percentage of people in Wales support full independence as of 2024?
24% in Wales support full independence.
What happened in Northern Ireland from 2017 to 2022?
DFM Martin McGuiness of Sinn Fein resigned in response to DUP energy policy, leading to a budget set by Westminster.
How many Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are in the NI assembly?
The NI assembly is made up of 90 MLAs selected by the Single Transferable Vote.
What is the government arrangement in Northern Ireland?
It is a consociational arrangement where power must be shared between Unionist and Republican parties.
Who are the current First Minister and Deputy in Northern Ireland?
Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Fein and Emma Little-Pengelly of DUP.
What occurred in Northern Ireland from 2022 to 2024?
Paul Givan (DUP) resigned as FM over the Northern Ireland protocol, leaving civil servants running nine government departments.
What legislation did Westminster pass when the NI assembly was unable to sit?
Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2019 and abortion was legalized in 2020.
What is the Barnett Formula?
It is used by the UK Treasury to calculate the annual block grants for the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish governments.
Are the grants calculated by the Barnett Formula ringfenced?
No, these grants are not ringfenced, meaning administrations can spend the additional money on any service they control.
How much was spent on citizens in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales compared to England in 2022?
For every pound spent on a citizen in England: £1.18 was spent on a NI citizen, £1.17 on a Scottish citizen, and £1.13 on a Welsh citizen.
