Evaluate The View That Devolution Has Been A Success

Question 1

1. A key argument that devolution has been a success is that it has
   strengthened democracy by bringing decision-making closer to the
   people, allowing devolved governments to more effectively represent
   local preferences and respond to the concerns of their electorates.

Answer 1

This can be seen in particular in Scotland, where the electorate is more left
wing than in the rest of the UK. As a result, the Scottish National Party
(SNP) has been repeatedly elected and has implemented progressive
policies, including free prescription charges, free tuition fees and a higher
top rate of income tax than in the rest of the UK.
●
Since 2024, Scotland’s top rate of tax has been 48%, 3% higher
than the rest of the UK.
These changes were only possible as the Scotland Act 1998 granted the
Scottish Parliament control over health and education, whilst the Scotland
Act 2016 granted it significant control over taxation.
This supports the view that devolution has been a success, as democracy
being brought closer to the people allows the Scottish Parliament to pursue
policies supported by its electorate. Westminster has less knowledge about
the impact, needs and priorities of local areas.

Question 2

1. Ca On the other hand, it can be argued that devolution hasn’t been a
   success in terms of democracy, as though devolved bodies are
   elected using more proportional electoral systems, turnout in
   elections is generally low, which undermines the legitimacy of
   devolved assemblies.

Answer 2

Turnout was just 63.5% in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections, while
participation was even weaker in Wales, with just 46,6% turnout in the 2021
Senedd elections.
This shows that a significant proportion of the population does not
participate in devolved elections, calling into question their democratic
legitimacy. Devolved governments exercise substantial control over key 3
policy areas, however their authority rests on the support of a minority of
voters.
This weakens the argument that devolution enhances democracy even
though they have more proportional electoral systems, as effective
representation requires public participation.

Question 3

2, it can be argued that tensions between devolved
bodies and the UK government reflected the approach and beliefs of
previous Conservative governments rather than a failure of devolution
itself.

Answer 3

In October 2024, for example, the Starmer chaired the first meeting of the
new Council Of The Nations And Regions. The council was created to
coordinate policy and tackle the challenges of power sharing, and consists
of the leaders of all the devolved governments as well as the metro-mayors.
●
The UK government committed to address and reduce breaches of
the Sewel Convention by setting out a new memorandum of
understanding (MoU), outlining how the nations will work together
for the common good.
These developments highlight how effective coordination between devolved
governments can strengthen rather than weaken UK unity. The Council
provides a formal mechanism for cooperation, reducing confusion over
where responsibility lies and allowing open communication (something
which broke down under Johnson).
This shows how devolution doesn’t necessarily threaten the unity of the UK
and cause separatism, supporting the view that it hasn’t been a failure when
judged in relation to the unity of the UK.

Link to assisted dying bill

Question 4

2. CA A key argument that devolution has been a failure in terms of the unity
   of the UK is that there has been significant conflict between devolved
   governments and Westminster.
   Under Conservative governments, these tensions and areas of conflict were
   often attributed to devolved governments being left wing whilst the UK
   government was right wing, but there have been continued tensions under
   Starmer’s Labour government, including with the Labour government in
   Wales.

Answer 4

Rishi Sunak increased tensions by using a Section 35 Order in January 2023
to block Scotland’s proposed Gender Reform Bill, which sought to introduce
gender self-identification and extend eligibility to 16 and 17 year olds.
●
Section 35 of the Scotland Act allows the UK Government to block a
bill from a devolved body in exceptional circumstances, if it believes it
will have an adverse impact on UK-wide law.
●
Then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon condemned the move as a
“full-frontal attack” on Scotland’s ability to make its own decisions on
devolved matters, whilst SNP leader Humza Yousaf unsuccessfully
challenged it in the courts.
Further tensions appeared in May 2025, when Welsh FM Eluned Morgan
publicly criticised the UK Labour government, calling for changes to disability
benefit cuts, winter fuel allowance reductions, and greater Welsh control over
Crown Estate revenues from wind power. She promised voters she will “call
out” Labour in Westminster when it “gets it wrong for Wales”
.
These examples demonstrate how devolution has contributed to a more
fragmented and strained union. Public criticism of Westminster by devolved
leaders shows weakening trust and limited cooperation, supporting the
argument that devolution has undermined the unity of the UK and
separatism.

Question 5

3. Finally, it can be argued that devolution has been a success in terms of
   governance, as it has enabled more effective policy making and
   improved outcomes in some areas.

Answer 5

At the regional level, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has made a
number of significant changes to local transport using devolved powers.
●
He has brought the bus service under local control, leading to fares
being capped at £2, before a similar policy was introduced nationally.
●
Burnham also launched the ‘Bee Network’; a network of walking and
cycling paths aiming to connect every community in Greater
Manchester.
These examples illustrate how devolved governance can deliver more
coherent and effective policy outcomes. Burnham’s transport reforms
demonstrate how local leaders can improve public services through faster
decision making and more policy experimentation.
If they continue to be successful, this could later lead to similar reforms being
implemented across the UK, as was the case with the ban on smoking in
public places, which was first introduced in Scotland.

Question 6

3. CA On the other hand, it can be argued that there has been little
   ‘devolution dividend’ in terms of improved policy outcomes. In some
   key areas, devolved governments have fallen behind England despite
   having greater control over policy making and public spending.
   Critics argue that devolved governments, particularly the SNP in Scotland,
   focus too much on independence rather than day-to-day policymaking. This
   has raised questions over whether devolved institutions are using their
   powers effectively to improve public services and deliver better outcomes
   for voters.

Answer 6

In August 2023, the Guardian reported that devolved nations were
underperforming compared to England in several measures of NHS
performance, despite higher per-capita health spending.
●
In 2022-23, Scotland spent £3,314 per person on health, compared
to £3,064 per capita in England.
●
Waiting times are significantly worse in devolved regions. 1 in every
150 people in England are on NHS waiting lists for more than a year,
whilst you are twice as likely to be on a year-plus waiting list in
Scotland or Northern Ireland, with 1 in 80 on NHS waiting lists for
more than a year. It is even worse in Wales, with 1 in 20 people on
NHS waiting lists for more than a year.
There are also significant differences in educational attainment between
England and the rest of the UK. Scotland and Wales have fallen behind
England in the PISA ranking (international rankings that measure
educational performance). According to the 2022 PISA research, England
scored higher than Scotland in all 3 subjects; reading, maths and science.
These examples undermine the argument that devolution has improved
governance. Despite greater autonomy and higher spending, devolved
governments have failed to deliver superior outcomes in core public
services. This suggests devolution hasn’t been a success or provided
material benefits.