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Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales

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Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Executive Council Statement to the 2003 Annual Delegate Meeting ContentsContents Introduction Page 2 Background Page 3 Voting for Devolution Page 4 The Scottish and Welsh General Elections Page 7 Usdaw’s General Election Campaign Page 10 Labour’s Policies for Scotland Page 12 Labour’s Policies for Wales Page 13 Campaigning after the Scottish and Welsh General Elections Page 14 English Regional Devolution Page 19 Your Region, Your Choice: The Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill Page 20 Conclusion Page 23 Appendices Page 24 G Usdaw’s Political Co-ordinators Page 24 G Application Form to Join the Labour Party Page 25 G Application for Constituency Labour Party Affiliation Fees Page 26 1 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales IntroductionIntroduction When the Labour Party promised the offer of devolved government to Scotland and Wales in the 1997 manifesto, no one would have guessed that within six months referenda would have been won in both countries and the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly set up and elected 18 months later. But devolution to Scotland and Wales has been delivered and the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are already making a difference to our members’ lives. The elections in Scotland and Wales on 1 May 2003 will mark another milestone when the Parliament and Assembly are elected for another term in office. But those elections will be very important ones. The people of Scotland and Wales have the power to decide whether they want the Parliament and Assembly to continue to concentrate on improving public services and the way of life, or do they want them to focus on fighting for more power to be devolved? This paper sets out the choices for our members: the powers of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, the difference that they can make for our members and the ways we can use these powerful devolved institutions to fight for the issues that matter to us. With the advent of powers for the English Regions to opt for elected Regional Assemblies those proposals are set out so that Usdaw members can become involved from the very start of the process of devolution, and can help to shape and influence this new tier of government which will impact on all of our lives. That is what our political work is about – informing, campaigning, changing – because the best people to speak up for Usdaw members are our members themselves. This paper should not only inform you about devolved government but also challenge you to get involved and to help campaign for the issues that matter to all of us in Usdaw. 2 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales BackgroundBackground The political landscape in Britain has changed considerably over the last five years. Many government powers have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament and to the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies. The Greater London Assembly and Mayor control many issues in the capital. Laws are currently going through Parliament which will allow other English Regions to set up their own Regional Government. In order for Usdaw to continue to effectively campaign politically for our members, we need to understand and influence these devolved institutions. The Labour Party’s manifesto in 1997 promised to bring devolution of power to those areas which wanted it so that government could be more responsive to the needs of people locally. Labour Party Manifesto 1997 – because Britain deserves better Devolution: Strengthening the Union The United Kingdom is a partnership enriched by distinct national identities and traditions. Scotland has its own systems of education, law and local government. Wales has its language and cultural traditions. We will meet the demand for decentralisation of power to Scotland and Wales, once established in referenda. As soon as possible after the election, we will enact legislation to allow the people of Scotland and Wales to vote in separate referenda on our proposals which will be set out in white papers. London London is the only western capital without an elected city government. Following a referendum to confirm popular demand there will be a new deal for London with a strategic authority and a mayor, each directly elected. The Regions of England The Conservatives have created a tier of Regional Government in England through quangos and government regional offices. Meanwhile, local authorities have come together to create a more co-ordinated regional voice. Labour will build on these developments through the establishment of Regional Chambers to co-ordinate transport, planning, economic development, bids for European funding and land use planning. Demand for directly elected Regional Government varies so much across England that it would be wrong to impose a uniform system. In time we will introduce legislation to allow the people, region by region, to decide in a referendum whether they want directly elected Regional Government. Only where clear popular consent is established will arrangements be made for elected Regional Assemblies. 3 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales VotingVoting forfor DevolutionDevolution Referenda were held in Scotland, Wales and London, and in Northern Ireland as part of the Good Friday Agreement. All voted for some government powers to be devolved and so the institutions were set up. Referenda on Devolution of Power in Scotland and Wales Date % in Favour Date of Elections Scotland 11 Sept 1997 74.3 3 May 1999 Wales 18 Sept 1997 50.3 3 May 1999 In Scotland 63.5% were also in favour of the Scottish Parliament having tax-raising powers. The elections for all of the institutions were held partly by Proportional Representation which ensured that the number of seats held by each party was roughly proportional to the number of votes that they received overall. The system meant that no political party has overall control of any of the institutions. Governing has had to be done by coalitions of parties working together. The next elections, especially those in Scotland and Wales in May 2003, will be keenly fought and will be very important to Usdaw members. The Scottish Parliament Powers of the Scottish Parliament Elected in June 1999, the Scottish Parliament is the most powerful of the devolved institutions. The Parliament has control of many major policy areas including: G Health. G Education and training. G Local government, including housing, planning and social work. G Law and home affairs. G Most transport issues, including roads, buses, ports and harbours. G Economic development, including tourism and assistance to industry. The Parliament also has the power to raise income tax by 3% in Scotland, although so far it has chosen not to do so. It has already shown that not only can it legislate effectively in Scotland it can help to set the agenda for the rest of the UK. 4 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales Achievements In its first three years, the Scottish Parliament has already made many achievements for the people of Scotland – often improving upon conditions in the rest of the UK. G Free personal and nursing care for older people: in contrast to the rest of the UK where only nursing care is paid for by the state, in Scotland older people who are cared for in residential or nursing homes will receive payments towards the cost of their nursing and personal care. G Improved student support: no undergraduate students in Scotland have to pay up-front tuition fees. A Graduate Endowment Scheme has been introduced so that graduates who can afford it make a deferred contribution to the support of future students. Access payments of up to £2,000 have also been introduced to help students from lower income families. G Free off-peak bus travel: for pensioners and disabled people has been introduced, benefiting over a million older people. G Free pre-school education available for all three and four year olds: over 100,000 places are available and take-up has increased to 80% of all three year olds and 97% of four year olds. Issues directly affecting Usdaw members With its control of issues affecting public services, the Scottish Parliament directly impacts on our members’ lives and that of their families in many ways. The Parliament can also affect members’ working lives and, where this is the case, Usdaw can work with MSPs to campaign for our members’ interests. Regulation of trading hours: currently there is no regulation of trading hours in Scotland. Usdaw is campaigning in the Scottish Parliament for large shops to be prevented from opening on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. (See page 14 for more details of this campaign and how you can help). Lifelong learning: the Scottish Parliament is responsible for the Learning & Skills Council in Scotland. They also controlled the administration of individual learning accounts until these were stopped and will be in charge of the successor scheme in Scotland. Transport: the availability (or lack of it) of public transport to ensure that members can get to and from work safely is always a key issue. Assistance for industry: the Scottish Parliament is in control of securing grants and assistance for industry and for economic regeneration. 5 Devolution of Power in England, Scotland and Wales The Welsh Assembly Powers of the Welsh Assembly Also elected in June 1999, the Welsh Assembly’s powers are considerable, although unlike the Scottish Parliament, do not include control of law and home affairs. Policy areas covered by the Assembly include: G Health. G Education and training. G Local government, including housing, planning and social work. G Most transport issues, including roads and buses. G Economic development, including assistance to tourism and industry.
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