Devolved government in the UK
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Scotland
Scotland has a parliament based in Edinburgh. There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament. They are elected every four years on the additional member system of proportional representation. The current political composition can be found on the Scottish Parliament’s website.
The Parliament operates broadly on the Westminster model, electing a First Minister who heads an executive. Its 18 members form a cabinet who manage the £30 billion budget in the areas where the Scottish Parliament has devolved powers. These areas include most aspects of domestic, economic and social policy. The UK Parliament retains control of foreign affairs, defence and national security, macro-economic and fiscal matters, employment and social security. The Scottish Parliament can pass primary legislation in those areas over which it has responsibility. A list of these areas can be found on the Scottish Government’s website.
Scotland is funded by a block grant (decided on the basis of the ‘Bar...
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