8 Devolution – transfer of powers
Figure 8 is a map of the United Kingdom, which identifies the four different countries that constitute it. In this part of the course you will explore the concept of devolved power from the Westminster Parliament to the recognised bodies of the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly.
Devolution is the transference of power from central government to local government. Since 1999 the decentralisation of power from the Westminster government has taken place. Certain matters that were once dealt with in London are now distributed to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since devolution has taken place we now have the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Watch this short film, which provides some additional information on devolution and outlines some of the powers that have been transferred to different parts of the UK.
As this course is discussing the law that governs England and Wales, the focus will be on devolution in Wales.
OpenLearn - The law-making process in England and Wales
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