CHAPTER 5 HIGH-YIELD GUIDE • 2026/2027 SYLLABUS
Devolved Administrations Guide: Holyrood, Senedd & Stormont
The definitive study matrix for devolved administrations test questions senedd stormont holyrood. Master parliament seat counts, voting age differences, and devolved vs. reserved powers for your life in the uk test 2026.
Holyrood, Senedd & Stormont Comparison Table
Official handbook data on locations, titles, member counts, and electoral systems.
| Parliament / Assembly | Location | Members & Title | Electoral System | Voting Age | Established |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Parliament Holyrood | Holyrood, Edinburgh |
129 MSPs Members of the Scottish Parliament |
Proportional Representation (AMS) | Age 16 | 1999 (Scotland Act 1998) |
| Senedd Cymru Welsh Parliament | Cardiff Bay, Cardiff |
60 MSs Members of the Senedd |
Proportional Representation (AMS) | Age 16 | 1999 (Devolution Acts) |
| Northern Ireland Assembly Stormont | Stormont, Belfast |
90 MLAs Members of the Legislative Assembly |
Single Transferable Vote (STV) | Age 18 | 1998 (Good Friday Agreement) |
| UK Parliament Sovereign Body | Westminster, London |
650 MPs Members of Parliament |
First Past the Post (FPTP) | Age 18 | 1707 (Act of Union) |
Devolved vs. Reserved Powers: Official Classification
Questions frequently ask candidates to identify whether a service is local or governed by Westminster.
Transferred Responsibilities
Devolved Powers
Decided locally by Holyrood, the Senedd, and Stormont:
- Health & Social Care: NHS services, hospital administration, and public health policy.
- Education & Training: Primary and secondary schooling, universities, and curricula.
- Housing & Planning: Local housing regulations and town planning permissions.
- Transport: Local road networks, public bus services, and local rail operations.
- Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Farming subsidies, rural development, and environmental protection.
- Justice & Policing: Devolved to Scotland and Northern Ireland (law and order remains largely reserved for Wales).
Westminster Only
Reserved Powers
Retained by the UK Parliament at Westminster for the whole UK:
- Defense & National Security: Armed forces (Army, Royal Navy, RAF) and counter-terrorism.
- Foreign Affairs: International treaties, foreign embassies, diplomacy, and overseas relations.
- Immigration & Nationality: Visas, citizenship ceremonies, border control, and passports.
- Economic & Monetary Policy: Currency (Bank of England), interest rates, and national fiscal budgets.
- Trade & Industry: International trade agreements and cross-border commercial regulation.
- Social Security: Major state pension policies and universal welfare structures.
10-Question Devolved Governments Rapid Quiz
Test your knowledge on Senedd seat counts, Holyrood locations, and devolved powers.
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