Key facts
- Scotland
- Scottish Parliament (Holyrood, Edinburgh)
- Wales
- Welsh Senedd (Cardiff Bay)
- N. Ireland
- NI Assembly (Stormont, Belfast)
- England
- No devolved parliament
- Devolved
- Health, education, environment
Devolution is the transfer of power from the UK Parliament in Westminster to the governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each nation now has its own elected body to make decisions on local matters.
The Devolved Bodies
Scotland - Scottish Parliament
- Location: Holyrood, Edinburgh
- Members: 129 MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament)
- Powers: Health, education, law, transport, environment, some taxes
- Established: 1999
Wales - Welsh Senedd (Senedd Cymru)
- Location: Cardiff Bay
- Members: 60 MSs (Members of the Senedd)
- Powers: Health, education, environment, local government, some taxes
- Established: 1999
Northern Ireland - Northern Ireland Assembly
- Location: Stormont, Belfast
- Members: 90 MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly)
- Powers: Health, education, agriculture, justice
- Established: 1998 (Good Friday Agreement)
Reserved vs Devolved Powers
Reserved (kept by Westminster)
- Defence and armed forces
- Foreign policy
- Immigration
- Social security (mostly)
- The constitution
Devolved (local control)
- Health and NHS
- Education
- Housing
- Local government
- Some taxation
England
England does not have its own parliament or assembly. English matters are decided by the UK Parliament at Westminster.
Why it comes up in the test
Know the three devolved bodies, where they are located, and examples of devolved powers.
Common traps
- Thinking England has its own parliament
- Confusing the location of each parliament
- Not knowing which powers are devolved
Devolution: common questions
Devolution is the transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, and Northern Ireland Assembly.
Related topics
Written from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the only official source for the test. BritPass is not affiliated with the Home Office; if anything here differs from the handbook, the handbook is right.
