Devolution in the United Kingdom
- Sophie Smyth
- Jan 21, 2022
- 3 min read
Introduction to devolution
The United Kingdom currently uses a system of government called devolution. The Westminster government has authority over the UK, however Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a devolved government. This allows for a more democratic process in the UK as citizens can be more involved in local decision making.
Devolution refers to the delegation of power to a local government and judiciary for the citizens of a region. These devolved governments have the authority to legislate on some matters - which are referred to as ‘devolved’ matters. Other issues are only for the Westminster government - and these are named ‘reserved’ matters. The system of devolved government has been explained below with examples for in-depth understanding of the system.
Devolved matters
Devolved matters are within the remit of the devolved institutions to legislate. Perhaps the most significant devolved matter in recent months has been the approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since healthcare is a devolved matter, each region has control over the regulations planned, implemented and evaluated. Other devolved matters include education, housing, environmental responses, rural development, social welfare and many more.
As each region has control over these devolved matters, there are some differences in how each region approaches different matters. Let's take education as an example. In England, students follow the National Curriculum throughout their school years, meaning that they sit for GCSE and A Level exams. In Scotland, the curriculum is different, as they follow the Curriculum for Excellence and sit the Nationals, Highers and Advanced Highers exams. In Northern Ireland, schools follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum, which is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, with a few key differences.
The Westminster Parliament can still legislate on devolved matters, as this is the sovereign Parliament in the UK. However, the Sewel Convention dictates that Parliament will not legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the devolved institutions.
Reserved matters
These matters are reserved for the Westminster government to legislate on, due to their high classification and importance (such as foreign affairs), and in order to ensure there is a coherent approach to these issues from the UK as a whole. One such example is Brexit. Although citizens from every part of the UK were able to vote in the referendum, it was only the Westminster Parliament which had the legitimacy to deal with the subsequent Brexit process.
Nationality and Immigration is another example of a reserved matter. Only the Westminster Parliament can legislate in this aspect, as it is currently doing. The Nationality and Borders Bill is currently progressing through the Parliament and should it pass, it will apply to the whole of the UK.
What you can do
Keep up to date with your local government authority through various news channels in order to get a wider and fairer perspective on their work.
Follow accounts such as @simplepolitics on Instagram for regular and unbiased updates on current affairs across the UK, in an easy-to-understand manner.
Sources
The Scottish Parliament (2021) ‘Devolved and Reserved Matters’ Available at: https://external.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/Education/18642.aspx
Centre on Constitutional Change (2016) ‘Does Brexit Need the Consent of the Devolved Territories?’ Available at: https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/opinions/does-brexit-need-consent-devolved-territories
The School Run (2021) ‘An overview of the Scottish education system’ Available at: https://www.theschoolrun.com/overview-scottish-education-system
Civil Service (2021) ‘Introduction to Devolution’ Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/770300/IntroductionToDevolution.pdf
The UK’s Education Systems Available at:
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