Devolved and Reserved Powers in the UK Political Structure

Devolved and Reserved Powers

What is the Question Read the following three answers and work out what the questions could be. Charles Parliamentary Sovereignty First Minister You can use your notes from the previous lesson to help you.

Learning Intention Explain why Scotland gained devolved powers from the UK Parliament Describe 3 devolved and 3 reserved powers. Give 2 current examples of devolved and reserved powers.

THE U.K.s POLITICAL STRUCTURE THE U.K. s POLITICAL STRUCTURE They wanted people in Scotland to have the ability to make some political decisions for themselves Scotland joined with England to form the United Kingdom in 1707. This is called DEVOLUTION. From 1707 to 1999 all decisions affecting Scotland were made by the U.K. parliament in London In 1997 a majority of Scottish voters voted in favour of Scotland receiving some DEVOLVED POWERS. Many people in Scotland were unhappy with this situation and demanded a change. This meant Scotland gained it s own parliament the SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT.

THE U.K.s POLITICAL STRUCTURE THE U.K. s POLITICAL STRUCTURE Since 1999 SCOTLAND has had TWO main PARLIAMENTS to make DECISIONS on issues which affect the lives of people in SCOTLAND and the U.K. In 2014 there was a Referendum on whether Scotland should be Independent. Scotland rejected independence by 55% to 45% In 2016 more Powers were granted to Scotland under the Scotland Act 2016 including powers on income tax Each PARLIAMENT deals with a specific set of issues

Devolved Powers (Scotland) Reserved Powers (UK) Health Defence Education Social Security Social Work Data Protection Planning Foreign Policy Housing National Security Some Transport (Bus/Train) Some Transport (aviation/maritime policy) Tourism Drug Laws Police and Fire Services Trade and Industry Environment Fiscal and Monetary system Economic Development Nuclear energy, oil, gas, coal and electricity Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Broadcasting/Entertainment Courts and Legal System Constitutional Matters Sports and the Arts Elections Legislation on income tax, stamp duty, drink- driving, speeding limits, air guns.

A In December 2014 a law was introduced which cut the legal blood alcohol limit for motorists. Police Scotland was formed in 2013 when 8 regional forces were merged together. It is now the 2nd largest force after the Metropolitan force. C Queensferry Crossing was opened in August 2017. At a cost of 1.3bn it upgraded the Forth Corridor in the east of Scotland to improve transport links. B A minimum price for alcohol sets the lowest price and alcoholic drink can be sold for. In Scotland, the minimum price per unit of alcohol was set at 50p. D

Universal Credit replaced 6 different benefits. It means those unemployed or on low wage will get 1 monthly payment. E Medicinal cannabis was legalised on prescription in UK in 2018. For example, those with severe epilepsy will now be able legally use cannabis oil. F In 2015 Parliament passed an act which allowed the government to hold a referendum and ask UK citizens if they wanted to leave the EU. G The government has approved plans for Heathrow to build a 3rd runway. H

FOR EXAMPLE Describe, in detail, the devolved matters which How to Answer a describe exam style question the Scottish Parliament can make decisions about for Scotland. Copy this into the back of your jotter [POINT] One devolved matter which the Scottish Parliament can make decisions on is education. [EXPLAIN] This means the Scottish Parliament make all the decisions about education in Scotland from nursery all the way to university. They can change the curriculum within schools and introduce things such as free school meals [EXAMPLE] For example, the Scottish government introduced free school meals for all Primary 1-3 children in 2015. In these questions you have to describe facts about an issue You should use P-E-E paragraphs to answer these questions. POINT Give your answer EXPLAIN Explain/describe what this means EXAMPLE Include a real example, statistic, etc to prove it You need to make up to eight substantive points to gain full marks e.g. in a 6-mark question, you could write two P-E-E paragraphs. In an 8-mark question you need at least three P-E-E paragraphs.

Exam Style Questions Describe, in detail, the devolved matters which the Scottish Parliament can make decisions about for Scotland. Describe, in detail, the reserved matters which the UK Parliament can make decisions about for the whole of the UK. (6 marks) (6 marks)