Devolved Governments and Media in the UK
How the Welsh Government, Scottish Parliament, and Northern Ireland Assembly work, their powers, and how the UK media and government interact.
The Welsh Government
The Welsh Government and the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) are based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. There are 60 Senedd Members (SMs), and elections take place every four years using proportional representation.
Members can speak in Welsh or English, and all Senedd publications are written in both languages.
The Senedd can make laws in 21 areas, such as:
- Education and training
- Health and social services
- Economic development
- Housing
Since 2011, the Senedd has been able to pass laws on these subjects without needing approval from the UK Parliament.
The Senedd
Located in Cardiff.Has 60 Members (SMs).
Can pass laws in 21 areas since 2011 without UK Parliament approval.
The Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament was created in 1999 and sits in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It has 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), elected through proportional representation.
The Parliament can pass laws for Scotland on any matter not reserved to the UK Parliament.
It can make laws on:
- Civil and criminal law
- Health
- Education
- Planning
- Additional tax-raising powers
The Scottish Parliament
Formed in 1999.Located in Edinburgh.
Has 129 MSPs.
Can pass laws on most areas except those reserved to the UK Parliament.
The Northern Ireland Assembly
A Northern Ireland Parliament was first created in 1922, when Ireland was divided, but it was abolished in 1972 after the Troubles began in 1969.
The Northern Ireland Assembly was later set up after the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in 1998. It works under a power-sharing system, where ministerial positions are shared among the main political parties.
The Assembly has 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), elected using proportional representation.
It can make laws on:
- Education
- Agriculture
- The environment
- Health
- Social services
The UK government can suspend devolved assemblies, and has done so several times in Northern Ireland when local leaders could not cooperate.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Original Parliament: 1922–1972.Current Assembly: established 1998.
Has 90 MLAs.
Operates under power-sharing.
Can be suspended by the UK government.
The Media and Government
All Parliamentary proceedings are broadcast on TV and published in official reports called Hansard. These reports can be found in large libraries or online at www.parliament.uk.
Most people learn about politics through:
- Newspapers (the press)
- Television
- Radio
- The Internet
The UK has a free press, meaning newspapers are not controlled by the government. However, some newspaper owners and editors have strong political views and use their platforms to influence policy and public opinion.
By law, radio and TV must offer balanced political coverage, giving equal time to different viewpoints.
Media and Government
Parliamentary reports: Hansard.Broadcast on TV and online.
UK has a free press.
Radio and TV must provide balanced coverage.
Key Points
- Welsh Government and Senedd are in Cardiff with 60 members (SMs).
- Elections held every four years using proportional representation.
- Senedd can pass laws in 21 areas since 2011 without UK Parliament approval.
- Scottish Parliament formed in 1999, located in Edinburgh with 129 MSPs.
- Scottish Parliament can pass laws on devolved matters like education, health, and law.
- Northern Ireland Parliament (1922–1972) replaced by Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998 after the Belfast Agreement.
- Northern Ireland Assembly has 90 MLAs and a power-sharing government.
- UK government can suspend devolved assemblies, especially in Northern Ireland.
- Parliamentary proceedings are broadcast and recorded in Hansard.
- UK has a free press; media can express political opinions.
- Radio and TV must remain balanced in political coverage.