Devolution

The transfer of powers and responsibilites from a central government to authorities on a lower (e.g. regional or local) level.

Devolved national legislatures exist in three of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom: the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly were created in 1998. In each case, the Parliament of the United Kingdom (Westminster Parliament) has retained so-called reserved powers (or reserved matters); while they are subject to change and negotiation, they typically include defence, international relations, industrial standards and the like.

Devolution does not mean that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are sovereign states; they remain part of the United Kingdom, even though Scotland is experiencing a surge in nationalism and a fierce debate whether it should become independent in the near future.