What does devolution mean and how does it work across the UK?

Millions of voters will head to the polls on 7 May, for local elections in England. national parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales.

The UK has had devolved governments since the late 1990s, which work alongside the Westminster Parliament.

Different types of devolution are in place across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as in parts of England.

Devolution means the transfer of power away from central government.

For many years, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were run by the UK parliament, based in Westminster in London.

However, there were growing demands for greater economic, social and political freedom.

This led to public votes about devolution in Scotland. Wales in 1997, and on both sides of the Northern Irish/Irish border in 1998 as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

This led to the creation of three elected institutions:

A number of mayoral posts have also been introduced in England, with varying powers and responsibilities.

The UK government in Westminster remains responsible for policies which affect only England.

It is also in charge of overall UK policy in a number of areas.

The Scottish Parliament sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh. There are 129 elected Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

Scotland already had its own legal and education system. After devolution, it became responsible for many other areas, including:

Its powers were extended in 2012, after the 2014 referendum on whether Scotland should become independent,. again in 2016 through the Scotland Act.

The Scottish National Party (SNP). which has formed the Scottish government at Holyrood since 2007, continues to argue for full independence.

Since May 2020, the National Assembly of Wales has been known as the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament).

It meets in Cardiff Bay, and is currently made up of 60 elected Members of the Senedd (MS).

Following the creation of 16 new constituencies, the number of members will rise to 96 after the 7 May election.

The Senedd's responsibilities include:

The Northern Ireland Assembly sits at Stormont in Belfast. There are 90 elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

The Northern Ireland Executive consists of nine government departments, each responsible for specific areas of policy and public services.

Devolution in Northern Ireland is different to Scotland and Wales, with government powers divided into three categories:

The assembly'smain transferred powersinclude:

The power-sharing agreement between the nationalist and unionist communities in Northern Ireland is also key.

The first minister. deputy first minister - one representing each of the two largest parties in power - jointly lead the government in a mandatory coalition. Despite different job titles, they have the same powers.

Since its establishment in 1998, the Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended a number of times.

Most recently, in February 2022, the DUP withdrew from the power-sharing coalition in protest against post-Brexit trade agreements. Two years later. devolved government was restored when the DUP agreed to return after a new trade deal was reached with Westminster.

The UK Treasury allocates annual financial grants to the Scottish. Welsh governments and the Northern Ireland executive to fund devolved public services.

It uses something called the Barnett formula to calculate how much these so-called "block grants" change every year. rather than the total amount.

It aims to give each nation the same pounds-per-person change in funding as is provided to comparable public services in England.

For example. if education spending goes up by £100 per person in England, the devolved governments should receive the equivalent per person increase.

The actual amount paid depends on factors including changes in UK government departments' spending plans, differences in population size. the range of devolved public services provided in each nation.

The grant from central government is also adjusted according to each country's tax-raising policies. This is because Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can also increase certain taxes, which generates separate income.

According to the Institute for Government think tank, in 2024/25, the Barnett block grant amounted to £45bn for Scotland, £20bn for Wales. £18bn for Northern Ireland (before adjustments to reflect tax devolution).

Once the UK government has finalised the block grants for each nation. the devolved administrations can decide how to allocate spending between the public services they manage.

Since the late 1990s, more powers have also been given to local. regional mayors in England, covering policy areas such as transport and housing.

The Mayor of London was the first role of this kind. created alongside the London Assembly after a referendum in 1998.

The London mayor decides how much money to spend and sets priorities in some key areas.

They can set bus and Tube fares, and decide targets for the number of affordable homes.

There are a number of other directly-elected mayors across England, with varying powers:

Elections to select new mayors in Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington have been postponed until 2027. Polls to pick new mayors in Greater Essex, Norfolk. Suffolk, Hampshire and the Solent, and Sussex and Brighton,have been pushed back until May 2028.

Local authorities in Scotland. Northern Ireland are not covered by the legislation that introduced the different types of elected mayors in England and Wales.

Shortly after his election in July 2024. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government would let "those with skin in the game - those that know their communities - make much better decisions".

The government subsequently introduced itsEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Billto deliver its manifesto commitment to:

The government wants all areas of England to be covered by new "strategic authorities" led by a mayor. These mayors will have the ability to act in a number of areas, including:

The bill is in its final stages going through Parliament.

It is due to pass before the end of the current parliamentary session. which must happen before the State Opening of Parliament on 13 May.