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Topic: The Devolved Nations

INTERACTIVE TOPIC · CHAPTER 5 — GOVERNMENT, THE LAW AND YOUR ROLE

The Devolved Nations

Three nations run much of their own show; England doesn’t. Tap the map, match each parliament to its home, and learn which powers stayed in London.

⏱ About 8 minutesPASS PACK TOPIC6 learning blocksMastery check: 6 real questions
0 of 6 learning blocks done
STEP 1 · PRIME YOUR BRAIN

Before we start — have a guess

Two warm-up questions on power outside London.

Which part of the UK has NO parliament or assembly of its own?

Where does the Scottish Parliament sit?

STEP 2 · THE PICTURE

Power, shared out

ScotlandEnglandWalesN. Ireland

Since the late 1990s, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have elected their own parliaments or assemblies and run services like health and education themselves. Defence, foreign policy and other reserved matters stay with the UK Parliament at Westminster — which still governs England directly.

STEP 3 · LEARN BY DOING — 1 OF 2

Tap the map of power

Find each nation. Every correct tap locks in its parliament’s story.

ScotlandEnglandWalesN. Ireland
LEARN BY DOING — 2 OF 2

Match the parliaments

Tap a parliament, then tap its home and members.

POWER LINES

Flip the details

Answer in your head first, then tap to check.

TAP TO REVEAL

Which big matters stay at Westminster for the whole UK?

The reserved matters — defence, foreign policy and the constitution among them. Devolved parliaments cannot touch these.

TAP TO REVEAL

Who leads the Scottish Government?

The First Minister of Scotland — the head of the devolved government at Holyrood.

TAP TO REVEAL

What is the Sewel convention?

Westminster will not normally legislate on a devolved matter without the devolved parliament’s consent.

TAP TO REVEAL

What does the Mayor of London run?

Transport, and oversight of London’s policing and fire services — England’s closest thing to a devolved government, elected directly by Londoners.

STEP 4 · QUICKFIRE RECALL

True or false — no thinking time allowed

STEP 5 · MASTERY CHECK

Six real questions on this topic

Score 5 or 6 and this topic is marked mastered on your path. Anything less: revisit the block you missed and retake.

Question 1 of 60 answered · 0 correct
Question 1 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Where does the Northern Ireland Assembly meet?
The Assembly sits in the Parliament Buildings at Stormont in Belfast; its members are MLAs.
Question 2 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Which policy area remains the responsibility of the UK Parliament rather than the devolved administrations?
Defence, foreign policy, immigration and similar UK-wide matters are reserved to the Westminster Parliament, not devolved.
Question 3 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
How many members are elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly?
The official handbook states that 108 members, known as MLAs, are elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, which meets at Stormont in Belfast. (The number was reduced to 90 in 2017, after the handbook was published — but 108 is the figure the test is based on.)
Question 4 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
The head of the Welsh Government holds which title?
The Welsh Government is led by the First Minister of Wales, in the same way that the First Minister of Scotland leads the Scottish Government.
Question 5 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Which TWO of these matters can the Scottish Parliament make laws or decisions about?
Choose TWO answers — select both to see the result
The Scottish Parliament makes laws on devolved matters such as health services in Scotland, and it sets the rates and bands of income tax paid by Scottish taxpayers. Defence and the UK's currency remain the responsibility of the UK Parliament.
Question 6 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
In which city does the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd, meet?
The Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, meets in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The Senedd has 60 members, who are elected every four years using a form of proportional representation. (The Senedd expanded to 96 members at the 2026 election.)

✓ green = correct · ✗ red = wrong · 🚩 red ring = marked for review · gold outline = current question

✕ Exit to Topics
STEP 6 · TEACH IT BACK

Say it in your own words

Explain what devolution means, naming the three devolved bodies and one power they hold — and one power they do not. Say it out loud or write it down — then compare.

Reveal a model answer

Devolution means the UK Parliament has handed powers to elected bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, the Senedd in Cardiff and the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont. They run devolved matters such as health and education. Reserved matters — like defence and foreign policy — stay at Westminster, and England has no parliament of its own.

Where next?

Drill all of Chapter 5 in the Chapter 5 practice sets, or pick your next topic on the Topics path.