Devolution in the UK as of January 2021
NORTHERN IRELAND:
Devolution is divided into three categories of powers: transferred, reserved and excepted.
Stormont House Agreement 2014: New tax powers were devolved to the Assembly in 2015, with possibility of setting its
own rate of corporation tax from April 2018. Aimed to bind closer together the different parties and communities of N.
Ireland on resolving identity issues, coming to a settlement on welfare reform, and making govt. finance more sustainable
The Fresh Start Agreement in November 2015: Secure the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and deal
with impact of continued paramilitary activity in the country.
Cornwall was given devolved powers in
2015, the first English county or ‘region’
to receive them.
Only, Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough has been awarded such
devolution since 2017. West Midlands
is due to get its own Metropolitan
Mayor in 2020.
The Northern Irish Government collapsed in
March 2017, when Sinn Fein, (one of the
parties in Coalition) walked out over
disagreement about a renewable energy
scheme. ENGLAND:
DUP (the other governing party) and Sinn Fein Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2019:
were in opposition until 2019 when talks Main provisions of the Act- administrative powers: to allow for the
between the two parties began. devolution of powers to some of England's towns, cities and counties;
Without a functioning assembly, N. Ireland to allow the introduction of directly-elected mayors to combined
was in limbo, and the UK govt. was reluctant authorities; to allow directly-elected mayors to replace Police and
to impose Direct Rule from Westminster- Crime Commissioners (PCCs); to remove current statutory limitation
direct rule meant that there was significant on functions of these local authorities (previously limited to economic
change in NI legislation. In 2019, UK development, regeneration, and transport); to enable local authority
Parliament passed legislation to legalise same- governance to be streamlined as agreed by councils.
sex marriage and abortion – prior to this N. Devolution to: city regions (Metro Mayors); single counties; local
Irish law conflicted with UK law. government areas (to be agreed with local authorities in area)
Under the Act, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced further
devolution to Greater London over the city’s finances and other areas
NORTHERN IRELAND:
Devolution is divided into three categories of powers: transferred, reserved and excepted.
Stormont House Agreement 2014: New tax powers were devolved to the Assembly in 2015, with possibility of setting its
own rate of corporation tax from April 2018. Aimed to bind closer together the different parties and communities of N.
Ireland on resolving identity issues, coming to a settlement on welfare reform, and making govt. finance more sustainable
The Fresh Start Agreement in November 2015: Secure the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and deal
with impact of continued paramilitary activity in the country.
Cornwall was given devolved powers in
2015, the first English county or ‘region’
to receive them.
Only, Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough has been awarded such
devolution since 2017. West Midlands
is due to get its own Metropolitan
Mayor in 2020.
The Northern Irish Government collapsed in
March 2017, when Sinn Fein, (one of the
parties in Coalition) walked out over
disagreement about a renewable energy
scheme. ENGLAND:
DUP (the other governing party) and Sinn Fein Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2019:
were in opposition until 2019 when talks Main provisions of the Act- administrative powers: to allow for the
between the two parties began. devolution of powers to some of England's towns, cities and counties;
Without a functioning assembly, N. Ireland to allow the introduction of directly-elected mayors to combined
was in limbo, and the UK govt. was reluctant authorities; to allow directly-elected mayors to replace Police and
to impose Direct Rule from Westminster- Crime Commissioners (PCCs); to remove current statutory limitation
direct rule meant that there was significant on functions of these local authorities (previously limited to economic
change in NI legislation. In 2019, UK development, regeneration, and transport); to enable local authority
Parliament passed legislation to legalise same- governance to be streamlined as agreed by councils.
sex marriage and abortion – prior to this N. Devolution to: city regions (Metro Mayors); single counties; local
Irish law conflicted with UK law. government areas (to be agreed with local authorities in area)
Under the Act, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced further
devolution to Greater London over the city’s finances and other areas
