Description

Today we recognise the 25th anniversary of devolution in Scotland, analyzing its successes and failures within the system of "multi-level governance". Speakers reflect on the Scottish Parliament's establishment in 1999, realizing the "settled will of the Scottish people", and noting initial achievements like free personal care and the smoking ban. A major theme is the alleged centralization of power in Holyrood, often failing to reach local communities and councils. Critics argue that constitutional focus has hindered progress on essential services like health and education. The discussion emphasizes the need for constructive cooperation between the Scottish and UK Governments to improve governance and delivery for the people of Scotland.

Key Takeaways:

• The Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) was established in 1999 following the Scotland Act 1998, fulfilling a long-held ambition supported by figures like Donald Dewar and John Smith.
• Early devolved administrations delivered significant policies, including free personal care, the smoking ban, and free university tuition.
• While devolution moved power from Westminster to Holyrood, power has often centralized in Edinburgh, hindering local government and the flow of decision-making down to communities.
• Some critics argue that Holyrood's Committee system, intended for strong scrutiny, has been weakened, leading to flawed legislation.
• Intergovernmental relations have been strained by polarization and constitutional wrangling, particularly since the 2014 independence referendum and subsequent calls for a second one.
• Despite record funding, public services like the NHS and education in Scotland are criticized for falling short of standards and experiencing rising waiting lists compared to other parts of the UK.

Discussion:  What specific structural or political changes could ensure that the original intent of devolution—bringing decisions closest to the people affected—is achieved in Scotland's future?

Source: Devolution in Scotland
Volume 773: debated on Wednesday 22 October 2025

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0...