UK Government: 2.1.3.1 Devolution

Question 1

Define devolution.

Answer 1

Process of delegating power to specific regions of the state (also to England)

Question 2

Does sovereignty change with devolution and why?

Answer 2

-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

Question 3

When was the Scottish, Welsh and NI assembly established?

Answer 3

1998

Question 4

What is the Scottish Parliament also called?

Answer 4

Holyrood

Question 5

What is the Welsh Parliament also called?

Answer 5

Senedd Cymru

Question 6

What is the Northern Irish Assembly also called?

Answer 6

Stormont

Question 7

What are devolved powers?

Answer 7

Powers given to each region by Westminster.

Question 8

What are reserved powers? Give examples

Answer 8

Powers that are retained by Westminster.

Question 9

What is the cost of medical prescriptions in Wales?

Answer 9

Medical prescriptions are free in Wales.

Question 10

What is the cost of medical prescriptions in England?

Answer 10

Prescriptions cost £9.90 in England.

Question 11

What is the tuition fee for ‘home’ students in Scotland?

Answer 11

‘Home’ students can have their university tuition fully paid for in Scotland.

Question 12

What is the tuition fee for students in England?

Answer 12

Tuition costs £9,535 a year in England.

Question 13

What are some examples of key reserved powers?

Answer 13

Examples of key reserved powers include Defence, Foreign Policy, and Constitutional Policy.

Question 14

What significant legislation was passed in 2012 regarding Scotland’s powers?

Answer 14

The Scotland Act is passed, giving new taxation and borrowing powers (e.g. income tax rate can be amended by 10%).

Question 15

How many Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are there?

Answer 15

The Scottish Parliament is made up of 129 MSPs, selected by the Additional Member System.

Question 16

What is the status of the SNP government as of 2024?

Answer 16

As of 2024, the SNP are in a minority government.

Question 17

What was the outcome of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?

Answer 17

Scotland votes NO by 55.3%.

Question 18

What powers were granted by the Scotland Act passed in 2016?

Answer 18

Control over railways, social care, and 50% of VAT received.

Question 19

What did Cameron pledge regarding Scotland’s fiscal autonomy?

Answer 19

Cameron pledges ‘devo max’ - full fiscal autonomy, though this is yet to happen.

Question 20

What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2022 regarding a second referendum?

Answer 20

The Supreme Court ruled that the Scottish government does not have the power to hold a second referendum.

Question 21

What do opinion polls show about Scottish independence as of 2024?

Answer 21

Opinion polls show that 56% remain opposed to independence, with 44% in favour.

Question 22

What did the Government of Wales Act 2006 provide?

Answer 22

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).

Question 23

How many Members of the Senedd are there currently?

Answer 23

The Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru) is made up of 60 MSs selected by the Additional Member System.

Question 24

What will the composition of the Senedd be as of 2026?

Answer 24

The Senedd will increase to 96 members picked by a Closed List System.

Question 25

What powers did the Wales Act 2014 grant?

Answer 25

It gave powers over stamp duty and landfill taxes.

Question 26

What powers did the Wales Act 2017 grant?

Answer 26

It gave the Senedd power to alter income tax rates by 10p, and powers over fracking and rail franchises.

Question 27

What percentage of people in Wales support full independence as of 2024?

Answer 27

24% in Wales support full independence.

Question 28

What happened in Northern Ireland from 2017 to 2022?

Answer 28

DFM Martin McGuiness of Sinn Fein resigned in response to DUP energy policy, leading to a budget set by Westminster.

Question 29

How many Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are in the NI assembly?

Answer 29

The NI assembly is made up of 90 MLAs selected by the Single Transferable Vote.

Question 30

What is the government arrangement in Northern Ireland?

Answer 30

It is a consociational arrangement where power must be shared between Unionist and Republican parties.

Question 31

Who are the current First Minister and Deputy in Northern Ireland?

Answer 31

Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein and Emma Little-Pengelly of DUP.

Question 32

What occurred in Northern Ireland from 2022 to 2024?

Answer 32

Paul Givan (DUP) resigned as FM over the Northern Ireland protocol, leaving civil servants running nine government departments.

Question 33

What legislation did Westminster pass when the NI assembly was unable to sit?

Answer 33

Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2019 and abortion was legalized in 2020.

Question 34

What is the Barnett Formula?

Answer 34

It is used by the UK Treasury to calculate the annual block grants for the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish governments.

Question 35

Are the grants calculated by the Barnett Formula ringfenced?

Answer 35

No, these grants are not ringfenced, meaning administrations can spend the additional money on any service they control.

Question 36

How much was spent on citizens in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales compared to England in 2022?

Answer 36

For every pound spent on a citizen in England: 1) £1.26 was spent on a NI citizen 2) £1.26 on a Scottish citizen, and 3) £1.20 on a Welsh citizen.