What powers do the Scottish Parliament and UK Parliament have?
The Scottish Parliament was created by a law known as the Scotland Act (1998). This law also set out what powers the Scottish Parliament holds. Extra powers were added in the Scotland Act (2016).
The Scottish Government has an annual budget and has the power to make laws on a range of devolved issues. However, the UK Parliament still takes decisions for Scotland in some areas.
What powers are devolved to the Scottish Parliament?
- Health 鈥 the NHS in Scotland (GPs, hospitals etc)
- Education 鈥 schools, colleges, universities
- Local Government 鈥 there are 32 local councils that the Parliament funds
- Law and order 鈥 the police and prison services, courts
- Environment 鈥 flood prevention etc
- Sports and the Arts 鈥 promotion of sports, museums, orchestras etc
- Welfare 鈥 some powers to provide benefits
- Taxation 鈥 some power to control tax and VAT
What powers are reserved to the UK Parliament?
- Constitutional affairs 鈥 decisions on devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Defence 鈥 the army, navy and air force
- Foreign Affairs 鈥 relationships with other countries
- Economic policy 鈥 power to control taxes
- Welfare 鈥 control of benefits such as Universal Credit
- Immigration 鈥 control over the rules for foreign people to live and work in the UK