How is power shared between national, devolved and local government?
The meaning of devolution, the powers of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly, the role of local government and councils, the services councils provide, and the difference between reserved and devolved powers.
A focused answer for OCR GCSE Citizenship Studies on devolution and local government: what devolution means, the powers of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and Northern Ireland Assembly, the role and services of local councils, and the difference between reserved and devolved powers.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain what devolution is, the powers of the devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the role of local councils and the services they provide, and the difference between reserved powers (kept by Westminster) and devolved powers. This Section 2 topic is examined through knowledge questions on devolution and councils and through "Explain" questions on how power is shared and what councils do.
What devolution is
Devolution was created in 1998 following referendums, setting up the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd (then Assembly) and the Northern Ireland Assembly. It allows decisions to be made closer to the people they affect and lets each nation reflect its own priorities, while keeping the UK together.
The devolved bodies and reserved versus devolved powers
Local government
Local government brings democracy close to home: residents can vote councillors in or out, attend meetings, lobby councillors and take part in consultations. OCR rewards naming real services and explaining how councils are accountable to local people, linking to participation later in the section.
Try this
Q1. Name the three devolved law-making bodies in the UK. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Q2. Explain the difference between a reserved power and a devolved power. [Short explanation]
- Cue. A reserved power (such as defence or foreign affairs) is kept by the UK Parliament at Westminster; a devolved power (such as health or education) is decided by the devolved bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J270 20192 marksState what is meant by devolution.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (2 marks). Reward a clear definition plus a developing detail.
Devolution is the transfer of some powers from the UK Parliament at Westminster to elected bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (1 mark), so that they can make their own decisions on certain matters such as health and education, while Westminster keeps power over reserved matters such as defence and foreign affairs (second mark for development).
Top marks. A definition plus a developed point naming a devolved body or a devolved power.
OCR J270 20228 marksExplain the role that local councils play in their communities.Show worked answer →
An extended "Explain" question (8 marks, AO1 and AO2). Reward developed roles, each with examples of services.
Role one (providing local services). Councils provide services that people use every day, such as schools, social care, rubbish collection, recycling, libraries, parks and local roads, funded by council tax and central government grants.
Role two (local decision-making and representation). Elected councillors represent local residents, set local priorities and budgets, and make decisions such as planning permission, giving communities a voice in how their area is run.
Role three (accountability and participation). Councils are elected, so residents can vote them in or out and can attend meetings, lobby councillors and take part in consultations, bringing democracy close to home.
Top band. Developed roles with named services, and a judgement on the most important (often providing essential local services).
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Citizenship Studies J270 specification — OCR (2016)
- Devolution settlement: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — UK Government (GOV.UK) (2023)