Devolved governments and local government
Since 1997, some powers have been devolved from the central government to give people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland more control over matters that directly affect them. Policy and laws on defence, foreign affairs, taxation and social security remain under central UK government control, although other public services (such as education) are controlled by the devolved administrations.
Scotland: the Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999 and sits in Edinburgh, at Holyrood. There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), elected by a form of proportional representation. It can pass laws for Scotland on all matters not reserved to the UK Parliament.
Wales: the Welsh Government and the Welsh Parliament (Senedd, originally called the National Assembly for Wales) are in Cardiff. It can make laws on many matters, including education, health, the environment and transport. Members are elected by proportional representation.
Northern Ireland: a Northern Ireland Parliament was first established in 1922 but was abolished in 1972. The Northern Ireland Assembly was established soon after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, with a power-sharing agreement between the main parties. It sits at Stormont in Belfast. The UK government has the power to suspend the devolved assemblies if necessary, and it has done so several times in Northern Ireland.
Towns, cities and rural areas are governed by democratically elected councils (local authorities). They provide services such as education, housing, social services, waste collection, libraries and planning. Local elections for councillors are held in May every year. Many local authorities have a mayor; some cities, such as London, have a directly elected mayor.
The National Assembly for Wales was renamed Senedd Cymru / the Welsh Parliament in 2020. From the May 2026 election it has 96 Members, elected by closed-list proportional representation (6 Members for each of 16 constituencies).
The Northern Ireland Assembly has had 90 Members (MLAs) since the 2017 election. The handbook gives the earlier figure of 108.
Key facts
- Scottish Parliament — Edinburgh (Holyrood), 129 MSPs, formed 1999.
- Welsh Parliament (Senedd) — Cardiff.
- Northern Ireland Assembly — Stormont, Belfast; created after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
- Reserved to the UK Parliament: defence, foreign affairs, taxation (largely), social security.
- Local council elections are held in May.
Important dates
| 1922 | First Northern Ireland Parliament |
| 1972 | Northern Ireland Parliament abolished |
| 1998 | Good Friday Agreement |
| 1999 | Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly formed |
Memory tips
- Holyrood = Scotland; Senedd = Wales; Stormont = Northern Ireland; Westminster = UK.
Practice questions
1. Where does the Scottish Parliament sit?
- Glasgow
- Holyrood, Edinburgh
- Stormont
- Westminster
Show answer
The Scottish Parliament sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh.
2. How many Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are there?
- 60
- 90
- 129
- 650
Show answer
There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament.
3. Where does the Northern Ireland Assembly sit?
- Stormont, Belfast
- Holyrood
- Cardiff Bay
- Dublin
Show answer
The Northern Ireland Assembly sits at Stormont in Belfast.
4. In which city does the Welsh Parliament (Senedd) sit?
- Swansea
- Cardiff
- Newport
- Wrexham
Show answer
The Welsh Parliament sits in Cardiff.
5. Which TWO policy areas remain under UK government control rather than being devolved?
- Defence
- Education
- Foreign affairs
- Health
Show answer
Defence and foreign affairs remain with the UK government. Education and health are devolved.
Practise all 22 questions on “Devolved governments and local government” in the app, with mock tests, spaced repetition and progress tracking. Free, and works offline.
Start practising