The powers of the devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and how relations are changing between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including views on devolution and independence.

What this dot point is asking

Edexcel wants you to know the powers of the devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to understand how relations between the four nations are changing, including views on devolution and independence. This Theme B topic (Paper 1 Section B) is tested through "Identify" and "Explain" tasks on devolution and devolved powers, and it can feed into evaluation questions on the future of the union. The examiner rewards a clear definition of devolution, accurate examples of devolved (as opposed to reserved) matters, and a neutral grasp of the debate between further devolution and independence.

What devolution is

Devolution shares power across levels of government. It created elected bodies in three of the four nations: the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd in Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly. These bodies, and the governments drawn from them, can make laws and decisions on matters that have been devolved to them. Crucially, devolution is not the same as independence: the UK remains one country, the UK Parliament remains sovereign, and certain powers are deliberately kept at Westminster. Edexcel expects you to define devolution accurately and to distinguish it clearly from full independence.

Devolved and reserved powers

The line between devolved and reserved powers is the heart of the topic. Devolved bodies run major public services such as health and education for their nations, so policy can differ across the UK. Reserved matters that affect the whole UK, such as defence, foreign policy, immigration and the currency, stay with Westminster so that the country acts as one on these issues. Devolution is also uneven: Scotland generally has the widest powers (including some over tax), Wales somewhat fewer, and Northern Ireland has its own arrangements reflecting its history and the power-sharing system set up under the peace process. Being able to name a devolved matter and a reserved matter is exactly what "Identify" tasks reward.

Changing relations and the independence debate

Devolution has not settled the question of how the UK should be governed; if anything it has sharpened it. Some argue for further devolution, giving the nations more powers within the UK; others, particularly in Scotland, argue for independence, leaving the UK entirely (a question put to Scottish voters in the 2014 referendum, which independence lost). There are also debates about Wales's powers and about Northern Ireland's place in the union. England's position is part of the discussion too, because England has no devolved parliament of its own, raising questions about fairness within the union. Edexcel asks you to understand these debates neutrally: present the arguments for further devolution and for independence without taking a side.