Territorial Sovereignty & Union
UK Devolution Guide
Detailed breakdown of legislative powers across Holyrood (Scotland), Senedd Cymru (Wales), and Stormont (Northern Ireland).
Scottish Parliament (Holyrood)
Established by Scotland Act 1998. Enacts primary legislation on health, education, Scots criminal law, and Scottish Income Tax rates.
Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament)
Established by Government of Wales Act 1998/2006. Reserved powers model governing health, Welsh language, housing, and local taxation.
Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont)
Enshrined under the Good Friday Agreement 1998. Power-sharing executive model between Unionist and Nationalist communities.
Reserved vs Devolved Powers Matrix
| Jurisdiction Area | Authority | Governing Body |
|---|---|---|
| Defence & Armed Forces | Reserved | UK Parliament (Westminster) |
| Foreign Affairs & International Trade | Reserved | UK Parliament (Westminster) |
| Immigration & Nationality | Reserved | Home Office / Westminster |
| NHS & Public Health | Devolved | Holyrood, Senedd, Stormont |
| Schools & Higher Education | Devolved | Holyrood, Senedd, Stormont |
| Scots Law & Legal System | Devolved | Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Reserved powers (defense, foreign policy, immigration, macroeconomics, currency) are controlled exclusively by the UK Parliament in Westminster. Devolved powers (health, education, housing, transport, local government, law & order in Scotland/NI) are passed to devolved parliaments.
The Sewel Convention dictates that the UK Parliament will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without the explicit consent of the relevant devolved legislature.