icon-background-square
New
New
Year 11

How does devolved government operate in the UK?

I can explain what devolution is and its role in the UK today.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 11

How does devolved government operate in the UK?

I can explain what devolution is and its role in the UK today.

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Devolution is the transfer of powers from the UK government to regional government.
  2. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own parliaments or assemblies.
  3. Devolution allows regions to make decisions on local issues such as health or education.
  4. Devolution is still evolving and powers continue to be devolved.

Keywords

  • Centralisation - when the central government makes decisions on the majority of issues

  • Devolution - the transfer of political powers from a central government or parliament to a national, regional or local government or parliament

  • Devolved powers - issues or matters on which the devolved government or regional areas can decide

  • Reserved powers - issues or matters on which the UK government can decide

Common misconception

Devolution means that areas become independent.

Devolution means powers are devolved but they are still part of the UK and Parliament still holds central power.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How does devolved government operate in the UK?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If there are specific topics students are intersted in such as sport or health then you can look for examples of how devolution has impacted these areas.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Pen, pencil, paper

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
The group of people with the authority to govern a country. In the UK, the is chosen and led by the Prime Minister (PM).
Correct Answer: government
Q2.
Who makes decisions in national government?
Local councillors
Correct answer: Government ministers
The Lords
Q3.
Which is the best description of a 'policy'?
a set of laws created by Parliament
funds used to support ideas proposed by the public
Correct answer: goals that governments may have to achieve to improve life for groups of people
Q4.
Which of the following are types of government in the UK?
Correct answer: central
Correct answer: national
Correct answer: local
Lords
Q5.
'Responsible for the security and welfare of the whole country. Sets laws and policies that apply to all of us' is a description of Local or Central government?
Local
Correct answer: Central
Q6.
The is made up of various ministers and led by the Prime Minister. It usually meets weekly at Whitehall in London.
Correct Answer: Cabinet, cabinet

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the term to the definition.
Correct Answer:Devolution,transfer of some powers from the UK government to regional governments
tick

transfer of some powers from the UK government to regional governments

Correct Answer:Centralisation,when the government decides on the majority of topics
tick

when the government decides on the majority of topics

Correct Answer:Devolved powers,topics on which the devolved governments can make decisions
tick

topics on which the devolved governments can make decisions

Correct Answer:Reserved powers,topics on which the UK government retains control
tick

topics on which the UK government retains control

Q2.
Match the parliament or assembly to their location.
Correct Answer:Wales,Senedd
tick

Senedd

Correct Answer:Scotland,Holyrood
tick

Holyrood

Correct Answer:Northern Ireland,Stormont
tick

Stormont

Q3.
Which of the following is an example of a reserved power in the UK?
Correct answer: deciding on national defence policy
running local hospitals
setting the school curriculum in Wales
Q4.
Which of the following are examples of devolved powers in the UK?
deciding on national defence policy
setting immigration laws for the UK
Correct answer: managing local police forces in Scotland
Correct answer: education and health decisions in Wales
Q5.
Devolution is still evolving, and more are expected to be transferred to the devolved governments over time.
Correct Answer: powers