Devolved powers
Study note
The UK Parliament at Westminster governs the whole country, but it is not the only law-making body in the UK. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a parliament or assembly of their own, set up so that these nations can make some decisions for themselves.
These devolved bodies hold what are called devolved powers, meaning powers over certain defined areas such as education and health within their own nation. They do not control everything, though. Westminster keeps responsibility for matters that affect the whole UK, such as defence and foreign affairs, and the devolved bodies do not run UK foreign policy or issue their own passports.
For the test, the key idea is that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved powers over defined areas, while the UK Parliament handles matters that affect the whole country. Northern Ireland, like Scotland and Wales, has its own assembly with these devolved powers.
Memory tip: Westminster for the whole UK; Scotland, Wales and NI handle their own defined areas.
Practise this topic
Question 1 of 2
What kind of powers do the parliaments or assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland hold?
Show all questions and answers for Devolved powers(2 questions with explanations)
Devolved powers: questions, answers and explanations
1. What kind of powers do the parliaments or assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland hold?
- Devolved powers over defined areas
- Full control over all UK foreign policy
- No law-making powers at all
- Power to issue their own passports
Correct answer: Devolved powers over defined areas
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved powers over defined areas.
2. Northern Ireland has its own assembly with devolved powers.
- True
- False
Correct answer: True
True. Northern Ireland, like Scotland and Wales, has a devolved body with powers over defined areas.
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