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What is devolution? An outline of the settlements

All three settlements involve the conferment of primary legislative power in certain fields to an elected Parliament or Assembly, and the transfer of executive powers previously exercised in those parts of the United Kingdom to Ministers who answer to the elected body.

Northern Ireland

• Under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Northern Ireland Assembly can legislate for a range of economic and social matters.
• Northern Ireland departments, headed by Ministers who constitute the Northern Ireland Executive Committee, have executive authority in the same areas (the term ‘Northern Ireland Executive’ is often used).
• There is provision to devolve additional responsibility, in particular in respect of policing and justice, which the Government hopes to do at an early date.
• More about Northern Ireland devolution.

Scotland

• Under the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Parliament can legislate for a wide range of matters (including policing and justice; the environment; healthcare; and education).
• The Scottish Ministers have executive authority in these areas
• HM Government published a White Paper on Scotland's Future in the United Kingdom in November 2009, building on the recommendations of the Commission on Scottish Devolution under Sir Kenneth Calman, which reviewed the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998.
• More about Scottish devolution.

Wales

• Under the Government of Wales Act 2006 (replacing the Government of Wales Act 1998), the National Assembly for Wales can legislate for certain matters listed in the Act, and the range of matters can be extended incrementally by Order under the Act or by further Acts of Parliament.
• The Welsh Assembly Government has executive authority in a range of economic and social issues (going beyond those where the Assembly can legislate).
• There is provision for a wider range of legislative authority to be devolved en bloc to the Assembly following a future referendum in Wales.  The National Assembly called for this referendum in February 2010.
• More about Welsh devolution.

In each case, the devolved authorities are able to act only within the range of competence devolved to them; the devolution Acts provide mechanisms for quick and authoritative assessment of the legality of legislation passed by the devolved legislatures by the UK Supreme Court.