What is devolution?

“Devolution is a process of delegating power, but not sovereignty, from the UK Parliament to specific regions of a country. This is power that can be returned to parliament through a constitutional statute (act of Parliament). Therefore, it is a transfer of power without eroding the sovereignty of parliament.”

When we talk about devolution we are usually talking about the powers of self-government that have been given to the regions of the UK – Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, we might be talking about elected Mayors also. Here power has been given to regions to make decisions that affect them.

The table below shows those areas where the Scottish government can make law (devolved matters) and those areas where the UK government in Westminster continue to make law (Reserved matters).

A clear example of the impact of devolution can be seen in the Scottish education system. Whereas university students in England have to pay tuition fees of £9,000 a year to attend, there are no tuition fees in Scotland. There are also no school league tables or SATs tests in Scotland whereas both exist in England.